Perhaps for the first time in India, Government Railway Police of Agra division has reacted wildly towards vagabonds who were found peeing on railway platforms, tracks, and the parking lot.

Disgusted with the stink of urine and ugly red pan stains due to spitting in every nook and corner at stations and other railway properties, senior superintendent of police, GRP, Gopeshnath Khanna ordered his men to conduct a drive against such miscreants and penalize them for public nuisance.

The drive was conducted over a 48-hour period across 12 stations of GRP, Agra division. As many as 109 people were nabbed and out of those 27 were caught in the act on Friday. The heinous act drew much criticism in the recent days over the media.

They were later released after paying a fine ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 500 depending on the gravity of the act of creating a public nuisance.

Speaking to media, Khanna said, "In a special drive conducted at several stations of Agra division, including Agra Cantt, Agra Fort, Idgah, Raja Ki Mandi and Tundla, 109 men were sent to jail for 24 hours and were penalized up to Rs 500 for urinating in public places on railway properties in front of women and children. They were also fined for creating a public nuisance by consuming alcohol or spitting Pan Masala from the window of trains in public place.

"The drive is a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative of 'Swachh Bharat' campaign. The offenders were charged under Section 34 of the Police Act (Punishment for certain offenses such as inconvenience, annoyance to passengers or residents in public places, roads etc ;)," he added.

On Friday, 23 men were rounded up from Agra Cantt station, while three offenders were booked at Farrukhabad station and one at Kosi Kalan station, he said.

- Manohar