Rail clips found removed on track for 130 metres near Paramakudi railway station

Elastic rail clips removed near Paramakudi railway station, leading to investigation by Government Railway Police.

Around 400 elastic rail clips that fasten the railway track with concrete sleepers were found removed near Paramakudi railway station on Monday.

Government Railway Police have registered a case of under Section 151 of Railways Act, 1989 for damaging of railway property.

Superintendent of Police, GRP, Tiruchi, P. Rajan, who rushed to Madurai, enquired a keyman, Senthilkumar, who was the first to notice the removal of pandrol clips for nearly 130 metres between Sudiyur and Paramakudi railway station. However, the keyman was let off on Tuesday.

Earlier, railway employees staged a demonstration protesting against the detention of the keyman by the railway police for the enquiry.

The police said that the clips on the inner side of the left track were seen removed and were lying between the tracks. Senthilkumar, who was on patrol duty, noticed the danger and alerted the railway officials.

He also stopped the Madurai-Rameswaram passenger train that was about the cross the section. After temporarily restoring the track, the train was allowed to move with caution at a slower speed. The train suffered detention for some five minutes, the police said.

Since the clips had been removed within a short time, the police suspected that somone who has the expertise in railway work could have been behind the crime. The police also have a suspicion on the railway contract workers.