Title - Women cops keep miscreants at bay on trains

CHENNAI: Picking up their bags the women, attired in traditional salwar kameezes, board the ladies compartment of the Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train. Even as they wear warm smiles, their eyes rove around the compartment scanning for a possible miscreant. Mischief mongers, beware! These women may appear as vulnerable as any other lady passenger on the train. But they are equipped to handle any eventuality. They belong to the newly launched flying squad of the Government Railway Police and have been assigned the duty of springing to the rescue of women on moving trains and at railway stations. “The initiative is proving successful with cases of eve-teasing and chain snatching having drastically come down,” the railway police claim. “Only two chain snatching cases were reported between January and March this year, compared to five from October to December last year.” The squad comprises four female and two male constables and is headed by a woman Sub Inspector. They have been operating on EMU trains in the Chennai Central-Gummidipoondi and Chennai Central-Tiruttani sections for the past three months. “This squad is unique in many ways. They differ from other cops who carry out their duties in mufti,” the official underlined. “The women constables alight at almost every station for a changeover. Moreover, they mingle with passengers and a common man cannot identify them,” he said. The team has arrested 15 persons on charges of gambling on trains, and apprehended five transgenders for allegedly causing a nuisance. When contacted, V Ponramu, Deputy Superintendent of Railway Police, Central Railway Station, said that plans to expand the squad were in the pipeline.