CHENNAI: Preliminary investigations suggest that the attack on a 20-year-old youth from Odisha while travelling in a Chennai–Tiruttani EMU local was not motivated by his being from another state, Inspector General of Police (North Zone) Asra Garg said.

The victim, identified as K Suraj (20) from Odisha, was allegedly attacked by four juveniles on Saturday (December 27) in the general compartment of the train.

Sources said the juveniles allegedly placed a sickle on Suraj’s neck when the train reached Tiruvalangadu. The minors were reportedly in an intoxicated state and were carrying two sickles concealed in their bags, allegedly to shoot reels for social media.

When Suraj objected to the act, an argument broke out and continued until the train reached Tiruttani railway station. The juveniles then allegedly forced Suraj to accompany them to an abandoned railway quarters nearby, where they assaulted him, leaving him injured.

One of the juveniles allegedly filmed the assault and posted the video on social media, police said.

A case has been registered against the juveniles on charges including attempt to murder and criminal intimidation, with the attempt to murder section invoked.

The victim, who was under treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai, has since left for his home state after informing the authorities.

(With inputs from Bureau & PTI)