The Railway Protection Force (RPF) arrested a 24-year-old man from Bihar for allegedly attempting to derail a train by placing heavy objects on the tracks between Ottapalam and Shoranur railway stations in Keralam recently.
The objects were found at three locations, including Mannanur and near the A-Cabin at Karakkad, between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. on Tuesday. Railway staff recovered a concrete slab, a piece of rail and a sack containing hardened cement from the tracks.
The RPF launched an investigation after receiving information from local residents and railway employees. Surveillance camera footage from Shoranur railway station, the railway yard and nearby areas helped investigators identify the suspect as Shuklal Marari.
Based on the footage, the RPF team searched for a young man wearing black trousers and a green chequered shirt. Officers later found Marari beneath the road overbridge on the eastern side of Shoranur railway station and took him into custody.
According to the RPF, Marari told investigators that frustration over his inability to find a job and resentment towards society had led him to consume alcohol and place the objects on the tracks. Further investigation is under way.
The team that arrested him included RPF Inspectors N. Kesavadas, U. Ramesh Kumar and Shaju Thomas; sub-inspectors P. T. Balasubramanian and Devarajan; assistant sub-inspector Savin; head constable Balakrishnayya; and constables Prasad, R. Sreeraj and Satheesh.
Published - October 22, 2026 11:16 am IST