CHENNAI: Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel in the city have stumbled upon a gang indulging in pelting stones and broken liquor bottles at moving trains, injuring passengers inside the compartments. The vandals consisted of individuals with criminal backgrounds who choose the vacant space adjoining the railway track for throwing drug parties after committing crimes.According to RPF sources, the security personnel received several complaints about stone pelting from commuters on the Chennai Beach — Chengalpattu section, particularly near Chetpet, Guindy and Vandaloor railway stations for some time. “The situation turned grave when a ITI student suffered head injuries on May 11, after hit by a stone from outside, even as similar incidents were reported from passengers in Pallavan Express,” an official said.Thereafter, the RPF intensified their patrol to nab the culprits on track that resulted in a crackdown last week, and the arrest of eight persons. According to officials, a majority of them in the group were criminals hosting parties for their friends to celebrate a crime well executed.“These men were partying on frequent intervals at the space near railway track between Guindy and Saidapet stations, which is marked as black spot areas. They were consuming liquor, injecting drug with the money allegedly got through criminal activities,” a RPF official revealed. While high, the miscreants threw stones and liquor bottles at the passing trains, targeting the commuters. The accused were arrested and booked under Sections 145 (b) and 147 (causing nuisance and trespass) — of the Railway Act. Meanwhile, Sub Inspector Maharajan, a RPF personnel, nabbed another person who was throwing stones on trains at Saidapet. The accused, Manoharan (age 34), was under the influence of alcohol. He was produced later in the court and asked to pay a fine of `1,000.With the RPF unearthing the activities reported close to the slums in and around Saidapet, it has carried out awareness campaigns among the locals at Samiyar Thottam, Thidir Nagar, Pothamedu Housing Units, Agarmcherry and Kannamapet localities about the adverse effects of stone pelting. When contacted, another top official in the Chennai Division of RPF said the drive continue on other railway sections as well.
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