Title - Rs 22.64 lakh stolen from KR commuters in 9 months

MARGAO: Incidents of commuters getting robbed on the trains have seen a rise over the last nine months. The worth of the stolen valuables of Konkan Railway commuters in these months is estimated to be around ` 22.65 lakh.

As many as 25 thefts have taken place on trains plying on the Konkan Railway route and even at railway stations. The stolen property includes gold ornaments, cash, mobile handsets, SIM cards, ATM cards, laptop and other electronic items.

The spurt in thefts in trains and at Konkan Railway premises from Pernem to Canacona has led to a sense of insecurity among commuters.

As compared to this, last year 19 cases of thefts and 6 other cases were registered. Cases of crime registered and investigated by the Konkan Railway police on running trains and at railway premises show that there has been a rise of nearly 10 per cent during January to September this year as compared to last year.

Most thefts are committed after spiking eatables or drinks used by victims. Majority of railway thefts go undetected. Police say that negligence on the part of passengers has led to this rise in thefts on trains.

Shortage of security personnel has also contributed to increase in such thefts. A senior police officer said that while some security personnel are deployed for patrolling on platforms, in trains and at stations and only a few keep a watch for thefts. This is one of the reasons why cases of thefts have shot up.

When contacted, a senior railway official said that regular checking is done at railway stations and in trains. "Though CCTV cameras are installed at different locations in railway stations, they are ill-equipped to check everything due to overcrowding," he added.

According to him, the recent spurt in thefts can be attributed to the onset of the holiday and marriage season when people travel and carry valuable jewellery. He said that they are in search of gangs involved in looting train passengers after intoxicating them with drugs mixed in tea or food.

Most of the trains require watchfulness as trains attract a varied population of travellers and non-travellers alike and vigilance becomes vital.

Stations with the biggest theft problems are those that are connected to, or nearby, bus or subway stations, which are often hangouts for gangs, drug dealers, and other undesirables. Thieves are able to loiter unchallenged within the stations, without attracting attention. Then they can take advantage of congestion for cover and easy escape.

So many incidents of jewellery and cash thefts have taken place in the recent past and the police are yet to catch the culprits.

He felt that police have to take more initiative to combat thefts with determination and dedication, which will give a sigh of relief.

He said that during vacation, professional thieves are at work in full swing especially in railways. They operate with impunity right under the nose of the law enforcers.