Investigation into ‘Hoons’ Graffiti on M’luru-Madgaon Train
Mangaluru: Graffiti art with the word “Hoons” on two coaches of Madgaon-Mangaluru Central-Madgaon (Margao-Goa) diesel multiple unit (DEMU) train, Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. (KRCL) has initiated an investigation by the Railway Protection Force. Though the graffiti did not damage the coaches, the incident has posed a serious question over the security of trains and Railway property. Moreover, no advertisements or graffiti could be posted on train coaches without the permission of the Indian Railways or paying the required fee.
The graffiti were noticed when the train (No 70105) arrived at Mangaluru Central Railway Station on Saturday afternoon and before leaving for Madgaon. Two coaches of the train had the graffiti art, apparently done with spray painting with the word “Hoons” prominently being visible. The train belongs to KRCL and is maintained at its Madgaon Yard. Officials believe that the mischief must have been carried out at Madgaon as it requires a considerable time to do the graffiti.
As per railway officials, the corporation has launched an investigation by the RPF, while the coaches would be given a fresh coat of regular paint. While the security remains tight around Railway installations, Railway authorities are focusing on strengthening Railway Intelligence to prevent recurrence of any such incidents. The Rail Hoons’ graffiti on the Madgaon-Mangaluru DEMU is the fourth such incident being reported since a week.
The first incident was reported in Tiruchirapally Railway Yard where three coaches of DEMU were defaced. The next incident was reported on August 16 at Shoranur in Kerala where two of the five coaches of an Accident Relief Train (ART) stationed at the yard were defaced. The third incident came to light when the Dhanbad-Alappuzha Express that arrived at Shoranur on August 19. The words, “Rail Hoons” “RHS” (short form for Rail Hoons) and “DKS” were found engraved on three coaches of the train.