Kerala Railway Police Launch ‘Operation Rakshitha’ Against Drunken Train Travel
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Railway Police has initiated a specialized security program, ‘Operation Rakshitha,’ effective today. This move comes in response to a recent incident in Varkala where a female passenger was allegedly pushed from a train by a co-passenger under the influence of alcohol.
Under ‘Operation Rakshitha,’ stringent checks utilizing alcometers will be conducted across railway stations, their vicinities, and within trains. Railway Police Superintendent Shahansha IPS affirmed that strict legal measures will be enforced against individuals found attempting to enter railway platforms or board trains while intoxicated.
The State Police Chief has also issued explicit directives to police personnel to prioritize and resolve security concerns faced by train passengers. To bolster security, local police officers will be temporarily deployed to railway stations as required, supplementing the existing Railway Police force.
Beyond specialized inspections within trains, platform surveillance has also been significantly tightened. Authorities have been instructed to apprehend and initiate legal proceedings against anyone detected traveling under the influence of alcohol on either trains or platforms. Police officials have warned that such actions will not only lead to the disruption of their journey but also result in the registration of a criminal case. Individuals discovered intoxicated inside trains will be deboarded at the subsequent station, transferred to a police station, and subject to appropriate legal action.
**Punishment for Drunkenness on Trains**
The Indian Railways has implemented comprehensive safety regulations aimed at safeguarding passenger well-being. According to Section 165 of the Railway Act of 1989, traveling on a train while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances is strictly prohibited. Violators, if apprehended, will have their tickets immediately canceled. Should the offense be proven, they could face penalties including up to six months of imprisonment and a monetary fine.