Kannur: Two class 12 students booked for halting train to shoot reel
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Kannur: A reckless attempt to shoot a social media reel briefly halted train services in Kannur early Thursday when a red signal was deliberately displayed to stop a running passenger train.
The incident, which occurred between Thalassery and Mahe, forced the Ernakulam–Pune Okha Express to stop after the unauthorised red signal was shown on the tracks. Railway authorities have termed the act a grave violation, warning that it could have led to a major accident.
Police said the red signal was used solely to stop the train for recording a video. The Kannur Railway Police registered a case against two Class 12 students, who were taken into custody and later released on bail. A third individual reportedly present at the scene managed to flee. Police are searching for him and investigating whether others were involved in planning the act.
Preliminary findings indicate that the students trespassed onto the railway track area during early morning hours, taking advantage of low visibility and reduced supervision. The red signal compelled the train driver to halt the express in accordance with standard safety protocol. The train later resumed its journey after a brief delay.
Railway authorities described the act as “extremely dangerous,” emphasising that unauthorised interference with train operations poses a serious threat to passenger safety. Officials warned that even a momentary misjudgement could result in derailments or collisions, particularly on busy routes.
The case has been registered under provisions of the Railways Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for endangering public safety and obstructing the operation of public transport. Police stated that strict action would be pursued to deter similar incidents amid a growing trend of youths attempting risky stunts for online visibility.
The incident has reignited calls for stronger awareness campaigns and enforcement to curb hazardous behaviour linked to social media content creation, especially around critical public infrastructure such as railways.
With IANS inputs