Fifteen cases of stone pelting on trains were reported so far during this year in Palakkad Division of Southern Railway, resulting in injuries to passengers or damage to the property.

While two cases were reported between Palakkad and Podanur, one between Palakkad and Pollachi, eight cases were reported between Shoranur and Vatakara and four cases between Kasaragod and Mangaluru.

The passengers sustained injuries in most of the cases, apart from the damage of the window glasses of engine and coach of trains and the Loco Pilots, Guards and in some cases, the station staff managed to escape only narrowly from the pelted stones.

In a singular incident at Mangaluru Central yard, the coach staff sustained head injuries when a few miscreants pelted stones on them. Two of them have been arrested subsequently.

The Division has taken stern measures against such incidents, including scaling the area without attracting local attention by Railway Protection Force and Railway Police personnel and awareness classes being conducted at schools, colleges and other institutions and public administrative bodies located near to Railway tracks, with the support of public representatives.

Patrolling has also been arranged during night hours.

Pelting stones on trains is a criminal offence under Sections 153 and 154 of the Railway Act. While Section 153 relates to willful act on the part of the offender, rendering punishment not less than imprisonment, Section 154 relates to rash or negligent act or omission by the offender, inviting fine or imprisonment or both.

The Railways have appealed to contact toll free number 182 if any such incidents are noticed.