It did not cause any damage to rails or passing trains

MADURAI

Fragments of a boulder were found in between rails on the Madurai-Tirunelveli broad gauge track near Sattur on Tuesday morning. Two elastic rail clips that are used to fasten the rails with sleepers were also found damaged at the spot over the rail bridge across the Vaippar.

Though the boulder did not cause any major damage to rails or any of the overnight trains, officials of Railway Protection Force, Tamil Nadu Railway Police (TRP) and Virudhunagar district police conducted an enquiry at the spot. The boulder was found on the southern side of the rail bridge around 3.30 a.m. It was first noticed by a key man on regular patrol on the track.

“A forensic expert has stated that the clips could have been broken by the flying parts of the boulder after it was crushed by one of the trains,” Virudhunagar Superintendent of Police M. Rajarajan, who inspected the spot, said.

Though the police suspect that it could be mischief by some drunk gang, they could not take a chance as the incident happened a day ahead of December 6 – Babri Masjid demolition anniversary.

“People from local villages, who used to walk on the dry bed of the Vaippar, were using the rail bridge to cross the river as water was flowing in it,” the SP said.

RPF Divisional Security Commissioner Mohideen, TRP Inspector of Police (Tirunelveli) Gurusamy and other police officers rushed to the spot. An RPF sniffer dog was also pressed into service. Police sources said that the boulder had been taken after breaking a wall in the vicinity. The police also found cups used for consuming liquor, the sources added.

The police are leaving no stone unturned as fish plates and clamps were found on the railway track in June 2011. The clamps had been placed only a few metres away from Tuesday’s spot. Meanwhile, the railway police, along with village assistants, have intensified track patrolling.

The TRP has registered a case.