Gharaunda (Haryana), Sep 16 - The Haryana police Wednesday launched a massive manhunt for a group of young men who allegedly stoned a train in which Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi was travelling the previous evening, even as the party said security of leaders was as important as austerity measures.

The police searched for four or five young men who allegedly stoned the Swarn Shatabdi Express in which Gandhi was travelling from Ludhiana to New Delhi. He took a train instead of the usual helicopter as part of austerity measures initiated by Congress leaders.

The police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) probing the stone attack Tuesday evening near this Haryana town, 120 km from New Delhi, said the guard at a railway gate had seen four or five youths, aged 16 to 18 years near the spot.

Accompanied by forensic experts, the police questioned many people and searched villages in the region.

'These people seem to have stoned the train. We are investigating the matter based on various clues. People in nearby villages are being questioned,' said Rohtak Range Inspector General of Police V. Kamaraj.

He added that no arrests had been made.

Meanwhile in Delhi, Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told reporters: 'We are committed to the austerity measures, but in such incidents, the security issues should be kept in mind and security of SPG protectees is of paramount importance' .

Asked if Rahul Gandhi and other top leaders of the party will stop their austerity drive because of security issues, she said: 'I have no information regarding this.