Plate removers arrested

Christie Fernando - Chilaw special correspondent

A major rail disaster was averted due to the vigilance of the Mundel Police when culprits who removed iron plates on the Battulu Oya railway line were arrested on September 22. Police stated that if one more plate was removed there would have been a major train accident and not a mere derailment.

On a tip-off the Mundel Police arrested two culprits who had allegedly removed the iron plates fixed to the railway track in the night. The plates had been sold to scrap iron dealers. Court refused to grant bail to the accused from Noordeenwatta, Chilaw, as the stolen plates were State property. The two accused were remanded till September 28. Another accused is absconding, the police said.

Mundel Police OIC S. Alawatte and a police party made the arrests. The Chilaw Police said that two more similar thefts have been reported in the Madampe Police area, the details of which however, were not available. Meanwhile Chilaw SSP R.A.D.C.K. Ranasinghe has ordered police foot patrols to be conducted along the railway line.