Rising crimes near railway corridors spark alarm in Kohc

Kochi: A disturbing surge in violent crimes in secluded spaces flanking railway tracks and overpasses in the city has triggered a wave of anxiety among late-night commuters and people. Latest victim was a 23-year-old woman who was robbed, brutallyattacked and sexually assaulted in Kalamassery. She was attacked near railway overbridge close to HMT Junction on March 15.In the early hours of Feb 24, a 45-year-old woman was beaten to death under Vyttila railway overbridge and the body was kept on the track to make it look like a suicide. On March 26, a 35-year-old man was found dead in an abandoned building near Ernakulam South overbridge. Police found that the man was lying there dead for nearly a month. A laptop and mobile phone were found near the body. Although police suspect that the deceased was a thief, as the gadgets appeared stolen from rail passengers, there is no confirmation on this yet. In Dec last year, a 21-year-old man was stabbed to death in a building near North railway station.Anjaly S, a working woman in Kalamassery, said the railway overbridge where the attack happened is frequently used by many students and working women to walk to their hostels and residences. "There are several educational institutions here. There is no lighting here and similar attacks can recur anytime," she said.A man was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in Kalamassery on Monday as well. The woman, who was returning after work on Sunday night, escaped after using pepper spray on the perpetrator.As criminal activity is on the rise in spaces connected to railways, city police have begun an initiative to identify such spaces with the assistance of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway Police. Apart from increased patrolling, police plan to collaborate with local bodies concerned to install CCTV cameras, increase lighting and clear thick overgrowth and bushes that provide cover for anti-social elements.Deputy commissioner of police, law and order-II, Shahansha K S said the matter has come to the attention of police. "We are in the process of coordinating with railways and local body authorities to close unauthorised entry points to railway properties," said Shahansha.He said it was from railway premises that the 30-day-old body was found. "We will be conducting inspections at abandoned old buildings as well," he added.Police are planning to install solar CCTVs with the help of railway authorities as well as through local bodies and residential associations.Vyttila Vikasana Samithi secretary T N Prathapan said one side of the railway track where the murder happened is covered in shrubs and vegetation. "There is also a vast marshalling yard near Vyttila, which is also vulnerable to criminals using it as a hiding spot. There are unauthorised entry and exit points too. RPF conducts occasional patrolling, but the space is hardly monitored. Installing cameras here is essential," said Prathapan.Adding to these concerns, a source with RPF emphasised the ongoing challenge of securing these vast stretches. "It is not just about stations; the entire line needs constant monitoring and there are not enough staff for patrolling everywhere. Still, we are conducting increased patrolling on railway properties, coordinating with local police," said the source.