News
Stone throwers caught in the net; security beefed up on trains
Gonsal Wez Sumith
Those who throw stones at trains beware!
Special security teams have been deployed on trains running along the railway stretch between Kelaniya, Mount Lavinia and Narahenpita, with the objective of apprehending stone-throwers, Railways Protection Force Superintendent Anura Premaratna said.
He said, the move comes in the wake of police and the Railways Protection Force successfully apprehending youths who stoned trains.
Railways Protection Force Assistant Superintendent and officer in charge of Railways inquiries Gonsal Wez Sumith, said, three youths were caught throwing stones at a train in Narahenpita on Wednesday.
He said the gate-keeper at the Narahenpita railway crossing had identified the boys and alerted police who managed to apprehend them.
Mr. Sumith said two boys were remanded till August 26 while the youngest (a 16-year-old) was sent to probation care.
Some shutters of the train were damaged.
“We lodged a complaint in courts under the Railways Act while police too submitted plaints under the Public Property Act,” he said.
He said on the same day a train in Galle was attacked by a group in the same manner.
Mr. Sumith also said officials of the Railways security’s flying squad were able to nab four others who were throwing stones close to Sasakawa Hotel in Kollupitiya.
Pic by Amila Gamage
“Our superintendent received information from commuters that a train plying from Bangadeniya, Puttalam to Slave island was stoned early morning.
“We deployed our flying squad officials while alerting the area police. Together they found the four suspects,” he said.
Mr. Sumith said police recorded statements from witnesses as well. He said the four suspects were produced before the Fort Magistrate who remanded them until August 24.
He said, the suspects had caused damage estimated at Rs 20,000 and they would have to pay compensation.
Meanwhile investigations into the Orugodawatte bottle-throwing incident, that claimed a life, are still underway.
Narahempita Police Officer in Charge Gayan Prasanna said they were able to apprehend the three suspects after the engine driver had described them and the location from where the bottle was thrown.
“ The boys told us that they did it for fun.This is not fun, this is unintentional murder and should be considered seriously. We normally give a chance to youths to correct themselves, but this incident has to be taken seriously,”he said.
He said the police, too suspected that an organised group was behind these stone-throwing incidents.