KANNUR: Indian Railways has decided to collect the loss amount that they suffered on the two days of nationwide strike, from those who staged the protests by blocking trains.

Railway higher authorities have directed the officials to take strict actions against the offenders. Railway authority is irked with the blocking of trains in Kerala, which was not seen anywhere else in the country. Blocking long distance trains also deranged rail transport of other states. Railway authority has started evaluating the penalty to be charged from the offenders.

18 trains were blocked in Thiruvananthapuram division while 21 trains were stopped in Palakkad division. At Kannur a protestor climbed on top of a train with a flag, which authorities take seriously.

Railway employees didn’t take part in the national strike. No one was even granted leave on that day. So the trains were stopped by outsiders. Railway security report states that the police didn’t come to their aid even though the asked for it. Railway police is not authorized to arrest or lathi-charge trespassers. Protestors will be identified using the photographs and videos taken by railway officials.

Offenders will be imposed of charges such as trespassing to railway stations, blocking passengers and railway staff. Meantime, the police have taken a case against 300 people for blocking train in Ernakulam North, Kalamasseri and Thrippunithura stations.

Railway police has informed that a notice will be issued to the accused immediately. Their arrests will be made after calling them to police station. A charge sheet will be filed in the station. Railways suffer Rs. 400 when an express train becomes late for one minute.

This is the first time that the railway has resorted to such stringent actions against protestors.