Varanasi: To check the menace of unauthorised chain pulling and ensure smooth train operations, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of East Central Railway’s Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU) division caught 1,336 people between Jan and Oct and imposed fines totalling Rs 8,44,990.A DDU division spokesperson said continuous surveillance was being maintained on the DDU-Gaya, Sasaram-Ara and Son Nagar-Garhwa Road sections, where incidents of chain pulling are frequently reported.He said special vigilance had been mounted at Gaya Junction, Dehri-on-Sone, Rafiganj, Nabinagar and Japla stations based on the pattern of incidents and identification of vulnerable points.During the period, 343 people were caught at Gaya Junction, 305 at Dehri-on-Sone, 96 at Rafiganj, 35 at Nabinagar and 58 at Japla. Fines of Rs 1,89,800, Rs 1,68,100, Rs 65,300, Rs 24,500 and Rs 41,100, respectively, were imposed.Railway authorities warned passengers that alarm chains are meant only for genuine emergencies and not for personal convenience.They said misuse of alarm chains disrupts train operations, affects punctuality and inconveniences other passengers. Unauthorised chain pulling is punishable under Section 141 of the Railways Act, 1989, with imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both.