Graffiti or terrorist act? Intention behind threatening message in Kochi Metro yard remains unknown

Kochi: The police have recovered the visuals of the two accused who barged into the yard of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMMRL) at Muttom here and spray-painted a message hinting exlposion. Though, the police have not identified the accused, both are booked on charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

It was on May 26 that the two individuals barged into the yard and spray-painted threatening messages at a train bogey named ‘Pamba’, which was parked there. ‘BURN First hit Kochi', ‘Play UFOS’, the messages read. The incident happened in broad daylight between 3 PM and 4 PM.

The Kochi Metro yard is a high-security zone. It is inside 10 feet-long compound wall with barbed wires over it. The perpetrators cut the wires to get inside.

The police have taken the incident as a serious matter and considers the message as warning. In the wake of the happening, the central intelligence agencies also intervened and collected the details. They suspect whether the act is an orchestrated one.

Preliminary assumption is that Malayalis are behind the act. The messages have been painted with different colours and looks like character art text. There are also speculations that an international outfit named Rail Hoons, notorious for trespassing and creating graffiti in public places, is behind the act.