Playing mankatha lands four in RPFs net

CHENNAI: Actor Ajith might have escaped from the clutches of the law in his recent blockbuster movie Mankatha, but a few in the city were not so lucky.Four young men came under the dragnet of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) for allegedly gambling at a hideout along the railway tracks in Saidapet. The youth, RPF officials said, were playing mankatha at the safehouse that they set up near the railway tracks. They were later identified as tailors employed in workshops in T Nagar. It was part of a clampdown by the RPF, under instructions from SR Gandhi, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner, Chennai Division, Southern Railway, on anti-social activities taking place on railway territories. Similar to the film, the real card game near the railway tracks also had twists unearthing the clandestine network that operates under the candle light from dusk till late night.According to sources, people from all walks of life — daily wage labourers and salaried people — assemble at the dark spots close to the Adyar river near the railway tracks in Saidapet. What was surprising to note was that even employees of the State and Central Government offices joined the group of about 30-odd persons playing mankatha till 3.00am. During the weekend, money to the tune of Rs. 1 lakh was circulated among the players. The activity peaks between the first and the 15th of every month, sources added.An RPF official said, “The problem with these guys is that one can't imagine how they would react in the event of losing the game. The players, who often consume alcohol, may turn violent and attack the gangmen moving along the railway tracks. Besides, we want to ensure that the tracks are free from any such nuisance."In a late night swoop, four persons, identified as Suresh (31), Murugan (24), Senthil (23) and Sekar (25), were apprehended by the RPF during a drive against mankatha conducted between Saidapet and Mambalam stations last week.Mambalam RPF Sub-Inspector S Maharajan said, "The suspects were fined Rs. 6,000 under two sections of the Railway Act. We are continuing our patrol against those indulging in mankatha everyday within the railway premises."