Train stuntman detained, counselled, released

Srinagar: Police on Wednesday said they arrested and subsequently released a boy who performed a dangerous stunt on the railway track at Bhijbehara in south Kashmir.
On Tuesday, a video surfaced in which a boy in his early 20s, wearing a pheran (traditional cloak) was lying face down in the middle of the railway track, while a speeding train passes over him.
After completing the deadly stunt, the boy lets out a joyous shriek, while being video recorded by a friend.
The police immediately arrested the youth after his video went viral on social media.
“We immediately arrested him after watching the video and a case has been registered in this regard,” said Additional Director General of Police, Munir Ahmad Khan.
“His immediate arrest should serve as a deterrent for all those who think performing daredevil stunts is something to be proud of,” he added.
Khan said the youth was counselled by the police.
“He was counselled thoroughly about the consequences of such acts, and how it is equivalent to attempting suicide,” ADGP said.
Reacting to the shocking act, Director General of Police (DGP) asked the parents to keep a vigil on the activities of their children.
“Why should everything be left to police? We as police force will try our best to safeguard, but it becomes the responsibility of parents as well to prevent their children youth from performing such life-threatening stunts,” said DGP, S P Vaid.
The youth was identified as Adil who on Wednesday later came up with another video in which he along with his friend Muzamil Qasim were seen making an apology.
“I apologise to all the people who commented or shared my stupid stunt. I realize my mistake and advise youth to refrain from performing such deadly stunts. I want to appeal to police to forgive me for my stupid stunt,” he said.
His friend who shot the video also tendered an apology on social media.
“I am equally at fault. I should have stopped him from doing this fatal stunt. I apologize to all people who watched this video,” he said adding “I request all of you to never ever put your life at risk by performing such stunts,” he added.
The videos equally evoked sharp criticism on social media, with netizens demanding action against such acts.
“This is the height of insanity and the youth should be identified and taught a lesson,” Mushtaq Ahmad a social media user posted on Facebook.
Former J&K CM, Omar Abdullah, also tweeted the video and termed it as “stupidity.”
“There is something drastically wrong with this sort of adventure seeking. I can’t believe the stupidity of these young men.”
In another tweet he wrote, “Arresting him isn’t the solution. He should be counselled and let off with a stern warning. Our prisons are too full of young men as it is and stupidity isn’t a crime”.
Later the youth as per the sources was released by the police after he underwent counselling by police.