Leaders face Kochi Metro wrath, action likely

Kochi: The organisers of ‘Janakeeya Yatra’ might be in for trouble as the metro authorities plan to take action following passenger complaints that the sloganeering and march taken out by Congress workers inside the metro station has caused them difficulty. The event was held in violation of the metro policies. Action would be taken after examining video footage from the Palarivattam station and train. Actions like raising slogans and taking out marches inside the train and the station premises could attract a fine of Rs 1,000 or even imprisonment up to six months as per the metro rules, sources said.

“Creating hardship for co-passengers is also construed as an offense punishable with a fine of Rs 500. There were complaints that the event caused considerable hardships to passengers,” they said. The workers took tickets and got upto the platforms shouting slogans while receiving Oommen Chandy and other senior Congress leaders who arrived from Aluva metro station. After “obstructing” metro commuters from de-boarding the train, the haste shown by party workers to get out of the station also resulted in the Automatic Fare Collection gates at the station kept open for some time, which also qualify as a punishable offense disrupting the normal service of the metro.