Nowadays, several social media creators are routinely seen engaging in risky feats and bizarre stunts to garner more views and likes on their content. Now, a video has surfaced on social media websites showing a YouTuber bursting firecrackers on a railway platform. The 33-second video, which has angered internet users, shows the man lighting up black snake fireworks in pellet form in the middle of the track. Soon, plumes of thick, black smoke emanate from the crackers, filling up the air.  The video has been shot near Dantra Station on the Phulera-Ajmer Section. 

”YouTuber bursting crackers on Railway Tracks!! Such acts may lead to serious accidents in the form of fire, Please take necessary action against such miscreants,” the video was captioned by Trains of India, which shared the video. 

Watch the video here:

YouTuber bursting crackers on Railway Tracks!!
Such acts may lead to serious accidents in form of fire, Please take necessary action against such miscreants.
Location: 227/32 Near Dantra Station on Phulera-Ajmer Section.@NWRailways @rpfnwraii @RpfNwr @DrmAjmer @GMNWRailway pic.twitter.com/mjdNmX9TzQ

— Trains of India ?? (@trainwalebhaiya) November 7, 2023

People reacted strongly to the video and criticised the YouTuber for his careless act, saying that such actions can have serious consequences. Some also demanded strict punishment for such violators and asked Railways to take action as soon as possible. 

Taking cognisance of the video, North Western Railway directed Divisional Railway Manager, Jaipur, and Railway Protection Force to look into the matter. The RPF is currently investigating the video.

Matter forwarded to @rpfnwrjp @ @SrdenCoJaipur

— DRM Jaipur (@DRMJaipur) November 7, 2023

Commenting on the video, one user said, ”Not sure, what runs in the minds of such YouTubers who do this for short-lived publicity? Snake patakhas might not harm tracks but still, it is risky and pollutes the environment unnecessarily. No one should do any experiment near railway tracks as it is dangerous. Hope, he gets his lessons.”

Another commented, ”This is too dangerous for the tracks. @AshwiniVaishnaw ji, please take action on such fringe elements. It may lead to a major accident. Action is necessary.”

A third said, ”This is the worst cracker as it releases abundant #carbon in the atmosphere. The cracker manufacturer and sale itself must be regulated.”

Notably, a black snake is a popular firecracker item in India, which children play with during Diwali. In 2016, the Chest Research Foundation (CRF) and Pune University conducted a research and found that snake cracker emits the highest amount of PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter) amid popular firecrackers.
 

A BJP leader was found dead this morning in a village in West Bengal. Locals found his body hanging from a tree in Bankura district’s Nidhirampur village after which they informed the police.

As the news of his death spread, tension flared up in the area. Some locals have alleged that Shubhadeep Mishra alias Deepu was murdered and then hung from a tree. They also began a protest demanding the arrest of the culprits. Police are investigating whether this incident happened due to some personal dispute or there is a political reason behind it.

The BJP, meanwhile, has alleged that Mishra was allegedly murdered at the behest of the ruling Trinamool Congress and demanded a CBI probe into the matter.

“TMC goons have murdered Subhadeep Mishra and hung his body from a tree with his hands tied. Subhadeep Mishra of Bankura District was a BJP candidate who contested the 2023 Panchayat Elections from Nidhirampur at Lotiyaboni Anchal of Gangajalghati Block in the Saltora Assembly Constituency area. He has been murdered as the TMC thieves and goons couldn’t digest his growing popularity and stance against corruption,” Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said in a tweet. The BJP leader has also demanded a CBI investigation in the matter.

“This is a murder. The video that is available, which I have also posted on X after blurring the face, clearly shows his hands are tied. Nobody can hang themselves from a tree after tying their hands. It is clear that his hands were tied and then he was hung from a tree. We think it is a political murder and the incompetence of the police and Trinamool Congress are goons are connected to it. We agree with the family’s demand, and we are also demanding a CBI enquiry in the case,” Mr Adhikari added.

According to news agency ANI, the family claims that Mishra was murdered by the family of a married woman from the village he was having an affair with.

The Trinamool Congress has hit back at Mr Adhikari for his comments and alleged the BJP was indulging in vulture politics. Senior Trinamool leader and cabinet minister Shashi Panja told reporters, “What is the role of the BJP here? It can be a BJP supporter or a TMC supporter, but we have to see what the family is saying. Family members are pointing fingers at another family and thy are saying it a personal issue that led to this death. The BJP jumps into the fray the moment there is a death. This is vulture politics.”

A lizard that has not been seen in Australia in over 40 years has been rediscovered in Queensland, according to a report in Yahoo News. The Lyon’s grassland striped skink was last spotted in the wild in 1981. It has so far been known only from specimens stored in a museum. An expedition was launched by researchers from Queensland Museum and experts from James Cook University in April to find rare lizards. But the team was not sure if they will stumble upon the rare species.

The researchers set up traps across a five square kilometre area wading through high grass on a farmland near Mount Surprise, some 300km south of Cairns.

This was the same area where the skinks were last documented.

“Our mission was basically to see whether they were alive. And so we targeted the one spot it was known to occur,” Queensland Museum’s Dr Andrew Amey told Yahoo News.

“It’s hard work surveying for them, you have to dig in to set pit traps in the black soil which sets like concrete very quickly. You can’t visually survey for them because of the grass, so you just have to set the traps and be patient,” he added.

The team also found two other rare species – the limbless Mount Surprise slider and the fine-lined slider. All these worm-like lizards are known for their legs that have been reduced as an adaptation to their sandy environment.

The Lyon’s grassland striped skink has been listed by Queensland and the Commonwealth as critically endangered.

According to Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) of the Australian government, the lizard can reach up to a length of 51 mm (from snout to vent). It is dark brown in colour with 10-14 pale narrow stripes that can vary from clearly visible, to short and barely discernible.

The tail of the species is straw-coloured, the Australian government body further said.