The Railway Protection Force (RPF), Thiruvananthapuram Division, has cracked two cases of robbery from running trains in August. In both incidents, the culprits were apprehended and the stolen property recovered within 24 hours, as part of Operation Yatri Suraksha.
According to a statement, the first incident occurred on August 10 when a passenger travelling in the front general coach of Train No. 16629 Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Malabar Express was attacked near Aluva, while the train was moving at a slow speed after leaving Aluva station. While using his mobile phone by the door, the passenger was struck with a stick by miscreants lurking near the track, who then snatched away his mobile phone.
When the victim alighted from the slow-moving train, a group of youngsters further assaulted him, taking away his earphones and ₹700 in cash. Despite his ordeal, the passenger managed to reach Aluva station and reported the crime to the RPF and the Government Railway Police (GRP). In a swift coordinated move, the RPF Aluva, along with the Crime Prevention and Detection Squad, the Crime Intelligence Branch in coordination with GRP and local police, tracked the culprits.
Within 18 hours, all six gang members were arrested and the stolen property was recovered. The investigation revealed that the gang’s modus operandi involved prowling near railway tracks at night and targeting passengers travelling at coach doors or footboards.
In the latest incident on August 16, a similar case was reported from Train No. 17230 Secunderabad-Thiruvananthapuram Sabari Express, when a passenger’s mobile phone was snatched by persons standing near the track while the train was passing through Ernakulam. With RPF assistance, he registered a complaint with GRP at Kottayam.
A special team from RPF Ernakulam immediately launched an investigation. By 3 a.m. the next morning, three of the four suspects were apprehended from the Pullepady rail overbridge area and the stolen phone was recovered. After recording the arrest, they were subsequently handed over to GRP for further legal proceedings, said the statement.
Divisional Security Commissioner of RPF, Thiruvananthapuram Division, Muhammed Haneef, urged passengers to remain vigilant, avoid footboard travel or displaying valuables near doors and windows, and immediately report any suspicious activity to RPF or GRP.
Published – August 18, 2025 09:48 pm IST
