In the last five months up to May, cases were registered against a total of 209 people in the Salem Railway Division for unauthorised alarm chain pulling (ACP).

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Salem Division has observed several instances of passengers resorting to unauthorised ACP for personal convenience and other non-emergency reasons.

Such acts not only constitute a punishable offence under Section 141 of the Railways Act, 1989, but also adversely affect the safety, punctuality and efficient operation of train services.

The Salem division, in a release on Monday (June 22, 2026), stated that in the last five months in 2026 RPF has registered cases against 209 people for unauthorised ACP. Of these, 90 offenders have already been convicted by the court, while the remaining cases are under trial.

Offenders are liable for imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or a fine up to ₹1,000 or both. Offenders are detained by the RPF and released on the execution of a bail bond, after which the case is prosecuted before the jurisdictional court.

The released added that alarm chains are provided exclusively for use during genuine emergencies such as an imminent threat to the safety of passengers, fire or smoke inside the train and serious medical emergencies requiring immediate attention.

Passengers are advised that pulling the alarm chain for reasons such as boarding or alighting after the train has started moving or stopping the train for passengers coming late or for any other personal convenience is strictly prohibited and punishable under law, the division added.