10 cases of stone pelting at trains reported in Ekm in 2 yrs

Kochi: Recurring stone-pelting incidents at running trains in Ernakulam have become a serious threat to passengers and have caused damage to the locomotives. In view of this, railway protection force (RPF) officials conducted an awareness programme in Edapally on Saturday.As many as 10 stone-pelting incidents have been reported in the 35-km stretch between Kalamassery and Mulanthuruthy in the past two years. Window panes of the trains are shattered when stones fall on them. However, it was found that railway authorities apprehended the accused in only four cases. It was found that most incidents happened at trepass crossings, where people crossed the tracks frequently. "Most trespassing cases have been reported in the Kalamassery to Edapally stretch since it is within city limits with high movement of people," said the officer. A passenger was injured in one such incident last year. Recently, a stone pelting incident at Vande Bharat Express was reported at Angamaly, resulting in damage to window panes in two coaches. It was found that most incidents were reported in evenings, when locals lounged around railway tracks in isolated places.In Feb this year, a stone-pelting incident was reported near Ernakulam railway station and the loco pilot had a narrow escape. In this case, 16-year-old boys were involved, and a case was registered against one of them.Despite it being a punishable offence, people pelt stones at moving trains believing that authorities won't be able to catch them. "We conducted an awareness campaign for the public against trespassing and stone-pelting incidents at the identified location at south yard at Edapally railway station. The public was sensitised regarding the legal consequences of such miscreant activity, and provisions for charging the ‘cost of damage' caused to the railways on account of such activities," the officer said."Identifying culprits in such cases is a difficult task due to the absence of surveillance cameras in the area and on the trains. When we apprehend the culprits after perusing the cameras, they confess that stones were pelted without any reason. Sometimes juveniles are involved in stone-pelting cases," said a railway protection force (RPF) officer at Ernakulam Town railway station. Most stone-pelting incidents have been aimed at express trains, which were not equipped with cameras.Trespassing has also led to many people being run over by trains. Last year, 37 people were run over by trains, as against 47 in 2024. These include suicide cases too.InfoHL - Non-bailable offenceStone pelting at running trains is punishable under Section 153 of Railways ActIt is a non-bailable offencePunishable with imprisonment up to five yearsThe section also involves causing any obstruction on railway tracks, attempt to obstruct or placing any rock on the track