Title - RPF to keep strict vigil on trains

In the wake of the recent fire incidents on trains, the Railway Protection Force officials across the state have received orders to keep strict vigil on all the trains passing in and out of Kerala.And with the Onam season round the corner, orders have been passed to ensure the presence of inflammable items on board the trains are next to nil.According to RPF officials, during such days, the number of passengers travelling to Kerala via trains increases nearly two-fold.“Apart from the Malayalis who come to Kerala for vacations, a lot of non-Malayalis travel to the other states. In the process, the chances of people carrying inflammable items are higher,” the officials said.Though the number of people caught in the process from the state are comparatively less, there have been incidents of people being booked by the RPF in the past.“Here, the awareness levels are higher. People who travel back and forth from the north, use the train corridors as kitchens. They light up gas stoves and cook food in the process. This is extremely dangerous,” the sources said.According to officials, special squads check long-distance trains.According to Section 156 of the Railways Act, those who are found travelling with dangerous goods, including gas stoves andcylinders, or are found cooking using such items, will be liable to severe punishment.

Apart from inflammable items, squads are also keeping vigil to ensure that liquor sale and use on trains are reduced.