Seven People Arrested in Kerala for Stealing Railway Signal Cables

Railway Protection Force officers arrested seven men for stealing signal cables between Nileshwaram and Cheruvathur. The group includes six migrant workers from Assam and a local scrap shop operator who bought the extracted copper.

Investigation Details

The theft came to light after a signal system fault was reported on October 18. Investigators found that thieves cut and stole about 80 metres of cable around 10 p.m. that night while engineering work was underway. The six workers stayed in a rented house at V.V. Nagar in Cheruvathur and were caught across different areas including Cheruvathur, Payyannur, Padanakkad, and Pariyaram. Officers also seized the vehicle used to move the stolen material.

Arrests and Seizures

The arrested suspects are Manowar Hussain, Somir Ali, Rasul Islam, Noor Ameen Islam, Sobikhul Ali Khan, Anowar Hussain, and scrap shop operator Mogal Hussain. A team led by Palakkad RPF Crime Branch Inspector A.P. Deepak carried out the operation.

Context

Railway signal cables are crucial for guiding train movements and keeping tracks safe. Stealing or damaging this equipment can disrupt train schedules and put passenger safety at serious risk.