Congress activists who created ruckus with their unruly metro journey in the name of a ‘Janakeeya Yatra’ on Tuesday afternoon may be in for trouble.
Kochi metro authorities are gearing up to seek explanation from the organisers of the event for violating the metro’s rules and follow it up with punitive action. The ‘Janakeeya Yatra’ between Aluva and Palarivattom led by former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was organised by the United Democratic Front (UDF) in protest against the alleged neglect meted out to Congress and UDF leaders at the inauguration of Kochi metro.
According to metro authorities, the event was held in violation of the metro’s policies, and action would be taken after examining the video footage from the train and stations. Actions like raising slogans and taking out marches inside the train and on station premises could attract a fine of ₹1,000 or even imprisonment up to six months as per the metro’s rules. Creating hardships for co-passengers is also construed as an offence punishable with a fine of ₹500. There were complaints that the event caused considerable hardships to passengers.
Owing to the melee caused by the activists in their haste to get out of the station, the Automatic Fare Collection gates at Palarivattom station had to be completely opened, which also qualify as a punishable offence disrupting the normal service of the metro.
