Odisha youth assaulted in TN: ‘Increasing patrols a big challenge’; railway police cites staff shortage

On December 27, 2025, an Odia youth was brutally assaulted by four minors near an old railway quarters at Tiruttani in Tamil Nadu. A video of the incident went viral on social media.

The youth from Odisha was travelling from Chennai to Tiruttani in a local train when an argument broke out with some intoxicated minors over making social media reels. After the train reached Tiruttani, the minors allegedly forcefully dragged the Odia youth out and assaulted him mercilessly.

After the video went viral, the Tamil Nadu Police detained the accused minors.

The incident led to massive protest among rail passengers who have now demanded deployment of private security personnel, similar to the Metro Rail system.

They further said that the RPF and the Railway Board cannot continue to cite staff shortages indefinitely and must ensure deployment of private security personnel along with frisking at railway stations.

Also Read: Odia assaulted in TN: Odisha sends officer to probe attack

‘Not Enough Staff To Deploy In All Trains’

However, according to The New Indian Express report, the Chennai district Government Railway Police (GRP) has said that their strength is limited to about 700 personnel to cover 220 stations under its jurisdiction across the Chennai-Villupuram and Chennai-Palakkad sections. 

Officials reportedly admitted that increasing patrols remains a major challenge, with vacancies ranging between 25% and 30%, TNIE reported.

Regular Passengers Express Concerns

Regular passengers travelling from Tiruttani and Arakkonam said several commuters were left shaken after witnessing the attackers wield machetes, with no visible presence of either the GRP or RPF personnel at the station.

Passengers also expressed concern over growing safety issues during train travel, citing the open sale of ganja and other drugs in and around railway areas. 

They further said the entry of knives, machetes and other weapons into railway premises must be strictly prevented.