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Kannur: Railway authorities are now seriously concerned and are planning to take stringent action against the perpetrators behind the ragging incidents reported in trains between Mangaluru and Kannur. Of all the trains in the segment, the Mangaluru - –Kannur passenger train (No. 56718) has become a focal point for student harassment, earning the name ‘Ragging express’.
In a recent incident, a teacher from Manjeshwaram Government College, a native of Kanhangad, was manhandled by students of the college due to an issue related to seating in the train. The teacher was pushed, slapped and was verbally abused in full public view. The attack ended when other passengers intervened and informed the TTR.
He sustained facial injuries and later sought medical treatment. Railway police have registered a case, and following a directive from the Kasaragod SP, two officers have been deployed on the train for additional security.
Junior students studying in Mangaluru say the evening Mangaluru–Kannur and morning Cheruvathur–Mangaluru passenger train, Malabar express and other passenger trains have become a focal point for such incidents where senior students assault juniors.
“Last week I witnessed an incident where two senior students of a private college in Mangaluru was seen assaulting a junior near the bathroom for a petty issue in the college. When the TTR questioned the seniors replied not to intervene in their matters”, said Manjunatha, a student from Kasaragod who travel to Mangaluru daily.
However, as per railway sources, majority of incidents are reported in the Mangaluru – Kannur express where in the last one month 8 incidents have been reported to the police.
“One reason why the number of cases reported in this train is due to the large number of college students who are mostly studying in Mangaluru”, said a Railway official based in Kasaragod.
Passengers who confront the students during acts such as smoking are reportedly ganged up on. Hence many passengers refrain themselves from questioning the acts of ragging.
