Juvenile held for hurling stone at loco engine in Coimbatore

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has arrested a juvenile on the charge of breaking the lookout glass of the locomotive engine of a goods train in Coimbatore a week ago.

RPF officials said that a 15-year-old boy from Singanallur in Coimbatore was arrested for pelting a stone at the locomotive engine and breaking the lookout glass.

The incident took place at KM 480/200 between Podanur and Irugur stations on August 25. As the goods train with loco no.33618 was passing the stretch, an unidentified individual pelted a stone at its engine. The loco pilot immediately alerted railway authorities, who in turn informed the RPF.

A case was registered at the RPF station at Podanur under Section 154 (endangering safety of persons travelling by railway by rash or negligent act or omission) of the Railways Act and an investigation was launched.

A team comprising RPF sub-inspector P. Manikandan of Podanur and assistant sub-inspector K.R. Binu from Coimbatore apprehended the accused from Singanallur.

According to the RPF, the accused admitted to have hurled a stone at the locomotive. He was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, Coimbatore, which sent him to the Child Welfare Committee for rehabilitation and continuation of studies.