Title - East Central Railway to beef up security for Durga Puja

PATNA: East Central Railway (ECR) is ready to provide increased security measures on running trains as well as on railway premises in view of Durga Puja and other ensuing festivals in Bihar. A decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting of RPF and GRP officials of Bihar held last week.According to ECR, RPF deputy chief security commissioner (Deputy CSC) Birendra Kumar, RPF and GRP have jointly worked out a comprehensive plan to enhance security at all vulnerable stations during festivals. Women would be given more security cover under the plan. "Incidents like dacoity, loot, snatching, luggage lifting and drug menace are more rampant during festivals. The joint security surveillance by RPF and GRP would keep a close tab on miscreants under all five divisions of the ECR," Kumar said.

Handbills, posters and announcements on public address system are being made by RPF and RPSF personnel to create awareness among passengers about drug menace on running trains. At the Patna junction, RPF and GRP officials have started checking the luggage of passengers randomly. Suspects have been interrogated, RPF deputy CSC said adding CCTV cameras are being used at the junction.

According to Kumar, railways has also deployed about 550 homeguard jawans at all vulnerable stations. Railway security personnel have launched a round the clock monitoring of security measures for the safety of passengers.

Long distance trains originating from Patna junction are now under strict surveillance of RPF and GRP. The ticket checking staff has been instructed to keep a close watch on troublemakers on running trains and to inform the railway security control rooms, an ECR official said.

Railways has issued a directive to all its five divisions to set up a separate control room to keep a close watch on passengers' security on running trains and check nuisance on platforms during festivals, he said. According to RPF deputy CSE, railways is getting full cooperation from GRP at all major stations. ADG (rail) P N Rai has been personally monitoring security measures in Bihar.

Railway officials are also ready to curb incidents of drug menace on running trains during festivals. In fact, RPF personnel have been asked to keep a close watch on the people involved in such activities. About 15 to 16 RPF personnel have been camping in New Delhi to escort important Patna or Bihar bound trains from New Delhi in mufti as most miscreants become active from there, Kumar said.