Drive to prevent stone-pelting of trains

Senior officials of Palakkad Railway Division distribute pamphlets as part of an awareness drive against stone-pelting of trains during their visit to Kasaragod.

Senior officials of Palakkad Railway Division distribute pamphlets as part of an awareness drive against stone-pelting of trains during their visit to Kasaragod.  

RPF to step up patrolling near rail tracks

In view of the recurring incidents of stone-pelting of trains in recent months, the Palakkad division of Southern Railway has launched a mass public awareness campaign to check such incidents.

The drive, jointly organised by the division’s safety organisation and security wing, is mainly focussed on creating awareness among those living in the vicinity of rail tracks. The drive highlights the dangers involved and the stringent legal provisions against such acts.

The Palakkad Rail Division will soon install five standalone CCTV cameras besides forming a group of “rail mitras” to closely monitor the movements of the miscreants in the vulnerable areas. As part of the drive, a team headed by Senior Divisional Safety Officer (DSO) Nitin Prakash recently visited the Pallam Road underbridge near here, besides the Kottikulam, Bekal Fort and Kanhangad railway stations, said railway sources.

The senior DSO, accompanied by safety counsellor Shaji, and RPF constable, Kasaragod, R. Murali, interacted with around 200 local residents and distributed pamphlets among them.

Number of cases

According to data available with the rail division, as many as 40 cases of stone-pelting were reported during 2017 and another 17 cases till May 5 this year.

While the RPF registered 23 cases during 2017, the figure touched 8 till May 5 this year, the sources said. They said 11 cases had been reported between Kannur and Kasaragod, seven between Tirur and Kozhikode, and five between Kasaragod and Mangaluru during the last year. Eight stone-pelting cases have been registered between Kannur and Kasaragod, and three along Podanur and Walayar till May 5 this year. The authorities concerned have been told to register non-bailable cases, entailing imprisonment up to five years.

RPF personnel will step up bike patrolling near the tracks, besides launch regular awareness campaigns mainly in schools and campuses adjacent to the rail tracks, in close coordination with the local police, school and college authorities and local body representatives.