Over 9,000 detained for disturbing rail operations

Over 9,000 people have been given administrative detention for disturbing railway operations in the first half of the year, the Ministry of Public Security said on Tuesday.

Twenty-two people were detained for forcibly taking other people's seats on high-speed trains and 11 for blocking or pushing open train doors, according to the ministry.

On Monday, the ministry launched a special campaign to crack down on public safety issues that will last until the end of this year. Frequently reported problems including taking other passengers' seats, blocking train doors, smoking on high-speed trains, destroying railway facilities and obstructing police enforcement are the key targets of the campaign.

"We stand firm and have zero tolerance toward behaviors that affect the safety of passengers and the trains' regular operations," said Wang Hongsheng, the director of public security administration of the Railway Public Security Bureau.

Wang also reminded passengers to call the police when their rights and interests were infringed upon rather than remaining silent.

Bai Shaoqiang, vice-director of the bureau, said more experienced police will be deployed on trains and at railway stations.

"We will also collaborate with local public security organs and railway transportation enterprises to ensure the safety of passengers and the trains," Bai added.

From January to June, criminal cases and public security cases reported on railways across the country fell by 17 percent and 6 percent. Railway police have detained more than 30,000 wanted offenders, up 19 percent year-on-year.