Question : Incidents of Looting

(a) whether in view of increase in the incidents of looting to railway commuters in the running trains, the passengers are feeling insecure of their lives and belongings etc.;

(b) if so, the number of incidents of looting reported in the last three years, year-wise;

(c) whether the Railway Protection Force has become ineffective to control/ check such incidents and it appears that there is nexus between police force and other railway staff; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the corrective measures the Government proposes to take in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1783 BY KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV AND SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 13.02.2019 REGARDING INCIDENTS OF LOOTING

(a) to (d): Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility of the State Governments, which they discharge through Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP to provide better protection and security to passenger area & passengers and for matters connected therewith. Cases of Indian Penal Code (IPC) crimes are registered and investigated by the concerned Government Railway Police. Whenever any information about status of crime on Railways is sought, State GRP is requested to provide information. As per data received from Government Railway Police Station, the cases of robbery in trains have increased to 711 cases in the year, 2017 as compared to 598 cases in the year, 2016. Such cases have decreased to 651 in the year, 2018. Further, no case of nexus between Police Force and other Railway Staff found in such cases during the last 03 years over Indian Railways.

However, the following steps are also being taken by the Railways in coordination with GRP for safety and security of passengers in trains and at stations:-

1. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, 2500 trains (on an average) are escorted by Railway Protection Force daily in addition to 2200 trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2. Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras, provided at about 453 stations over Indian Railways, to ensure safety and security of passengers.
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3. Security Help Line number 182 is operational over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
4. Through various social media platforms viz. twitter, facebook etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers to enhance security and address their security concerns.
5. An Integrated Security System (ISS) consisting of surveillance of vulnerable stations through Close Circuit Television (CCTV) Camera Network, Access Control etc. has been sanctioned to improve surveillance mechanism over 202 railway stations.
6. All Railway Stations and passenger carrying trains are planned to be progressively provided with CCTV based surveillance system.
7. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
8. Drives are conducted from time to time against the entry of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises.
9. Further, close liaison is made by Railways with the State Police/GRP authorities at all levels for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as on running trains.
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