RailEnquiry

RANCHI: Security has been beefed up at Ranchi railway station in the run-up to Durga Puja celebrations. Ranchi junction comes under the ambitious Integrated Security System (ISS) of the railways. All the measures of ISS will be established at Ranchi junction. But in the absence of it, security personnel have been asked to maintain heightened surveillance. Railway Protection Force have written to their higher-ups for more personnel and police are taking the help of sniffer dogs. A K Gorai, the in-charge of RPF at Ranchi junction, said security personnel were asked to be on alert. "Usually during Durga Puja, incidents of drugging and theft increase. As a large number of people travel during festivities, the gangs which indulge in drugging passengers and robbing them have a field day," he added. During festivities, incidents of lifting of luggage, pick-pocketing, smuggling of 'ganja', heroine, and other contraband also increase because a large number of people travel by trains. The surveillance is being maintained at both Ranchi and Hatia junctions to deter anti-social elements, said an RPF official. Two members of a gang which used to drug passengers and rob them on trains were arrested by Ranchi RPF. Intelligence officials in the railways said the number of thieves, pickpockets and drug gangs increased in Ranchi, Dhanbad and Chakradharpur railway divisions. Trains arriving at Ranchi and Hatia junction these days carry more passengers. Particularly, trains coming from Mumbai and Delhi have crammed bogies. In trains leaving Hatia and Ranchi, police personnel move from one bogy to another bogey asking passengers on loudspeakers to avoid being over-friendly with co-passengers and not to eat anything offered by them. They are also taking sniffer dog's help to identify anything suspicious people. A team with sniffer dogs inspects the railway station twice. "They are being taken into Rajdhani and other premium trains to identify if anyone is keeping drugs or anesthetic biscuits," said a railway employee. DRM G Malaya said movement of passengers had increased because of festivities. "The railways has increased security to ensure that passengers do not face troubles. Passengers are also being made aware about safety," Malaya added. Apart from security issues, policemen are also keeping an eye on trouble mongers. During festivities cases of chain pulling and damage to railway properties also grow.