RailEnquiry

MUMBAI: Security checks being carried out at stations to prevent terror attacks resulted in the recovery of diamonds worth Rs 20 lakh, unaccounted cash of Rs 4 lakh and 44 cartons of gutkha worth Rs 20 lakh on Saturday night. The seizures were made by the government railway police (GRP) during three separate checks at Dadar and CST. "We were checking passengers' bags and frisking suspicious-looking persons when we spotted a nervous-looking man carrying a bag on his shoulder in Dadar," said senior inspector (GRP) Rajendra Trivedi."We found 25 packets of diamonds, worth Rs 20 lakh, and Rs 4 lakh in his bag," said Trivedi. "He told us that his name was Asif Memon (24). He claimed that he was taking the diamonds to Surat and was to board Gujarat Mail. But he kept changing his versions and gave us evasive replies. We took him into custody and will hand him over to the income tax department for further investigation."Acting on a tip-off, the police laid a trap and recovered 44 cartons of gutkha ar CST. "Earlier, consignments would arrive at Mumbai Central station by long-distance trains. But after we arrested a few persons, the consignments stopped arriving at Mumbai Central. Our informer had told us that the gutkha consignment would arrive by Punjab Mail," said Trivedi. "The gutkha was sent from Delhi. We are trying to ascertain the source of the consignment and

have alerted the police in Delhi."

"At several stations like Kalyan and Dadar, we have installed baggage scanners, door frame metal detectors and deployed extra police personnel to check for explosives or unclaimed bags. Dog squad has also been pressed into service," Central Railway spokesperson A K Singh said.

A senior railway protection force official said security has been tightened at all the stations and on suburban and long-distance trains. "We are patrolling round-the-clock patrol and our men are keeping a vigil on CCTVs for any suspicious objects or persons. The checks will continue in the city this week," he said.

Singh said the motormen have also been provided with security as there have been incidents of attacks.

"We have kept all our staff on alert and regular announcements are being made, warning people from touching unclaimed bags and alert either the GRP or the RPF," he said.

(With inputs from Mateen Hafeez and Sandhya Nair)