Children of migrant workers imitate YouTube video, place stones on Netravati Express track

Trikaripur (Kasaragod): What began as child’s play turned into a serious incident when two children of migrant workers imitated a YouTube video by placing stones on the railway track between Trikaripur and Payyanur railway stations. Thiruvananthapuram-Lokmanya Tilak Netravati Express (16346) experienced a sudden jolt when it was approximately 100 metres from the Beericheri railway gate in Kasaragod. 

The children, aged 11 and 12, laid stones on the track near the Beericheri railway gate. A joint investigation led by the Kannur Railway Protection Force (RPF), along with Chantera Police and Kasaragod Railway Police, revealed that the culprits were indeed children. Further investigation showed that the children had been watching videos on YouTube that encouraged such dangerous behaviour.

After gathering information from the children, they were released into the custody of their parents. On Tuesday, the Kannur RPF called the children to their office to make them understand the gravity of the situation. The inspection at the site was conducted on Monday by a team led by Kannur RPF Inspector J. Varghese.

The incident took place on Sunday evening at 7.55 pm when the Netravati Express was passing through the area. The loco pilot noticed an unusual rumbling noise and immediately alerted the railway authorities. Railway employees dispatched from Payyannur later on discovered the crushed stones on the track.