Title - District training behind criminal bandwagon

The crime graph on trains has shown a steep increase this season with more and more theft cases being registered at railway stations in the state. In Ernakulam alone, at least 12 cases of petty crime and large time thefts were registered in the month of July. In August, between Ernakulam and Aluva stations, as many as seven cases have been registered till date. Interestingly, according to railway police officials, the most number of crimes being registered in the state take place at stations between Ernakulam and Aluva. “Last month, nearly every other day, we were being notified about a stolen baggage case or money theft cases. In spite of the strict vigil, it becomes nearly impossible to keep a tab on all the compartments of the trains, because of the lack of police personnel in the Railways.” However, police cite that though the majority of these cases are booked in Ernakulam and Aluva, they do not occur anywhere near these station limits. “Out of the 12 cases that were registered last month, nearly 10 of them occurred beyond Thrissur and other districts.” The reason? "These passengers are usually long distance travellers who commute during the night hours on trains. Since criminals are more active during the night hours, they find the easiest victim and commit their theft there. Only in the mornings, when these passengers wake up do they realise that their belongings have been stolen. Most of the time, the train would have reached either Aluva or Ernakulam,” officials said. Police also blame the passengers for their carelessness. “When our police travel through the trains, some of the passengers are seen carelessly keeping their belongings unlocked. Most of these criminals are experienced hands. They usually get out on bail and come back to the same trains. So, it is also mandatory that these passengers take care also,” the officials said. Most of the crimes that were registered last month took place in the Mumbai Kayakumari Jayanthi Janatha Express and the Chennai- Thiruvanthapuram Super fast mails. In the wake of the Onam season, at least 20 RPF personnel have been deployed on the trains as per the new schedule. Thirty police officials have been deployed in the Ernakulam Junction station alone.