(a)Whether the Railways propose to discontinue running of trains
through Naxalite affected areas;
(b) If so, the reasons therefor;
(c) Whether the State Governments are not providing adequate security to trains running through Naxalite affected areas;
(d) If so, whether any discussions with the State Government have been held in this regard;
(e) If so, the outcome thereof; and
(f) the further plans of the Railways to run trains through Naxalite
affected areas?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)
(a): No, Sir.
(b): Does not arise.
(c) to (e): ?Policing? being a State subject, prevention of crime,
registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law
and order in the Railway premises as well as on running trains are
the statutory responsibility of the State Police. The State Police
have a separate wing called the Government Railway Police (GRP)
for dealing with all matters relating to Law and Order on the Railway
and as such, Ministry of Railways has to depend on them for controlling
the crime over Indian Railways. Railways have taken the following measures
through the Railway Protection Force (RPF) for protection of Railway Properties,
particularly in vulnerable sections prone to terrorist/naxalite attacks:-
1. During Bandh/Agitation/Rail Roko events, Railway Protection Force
personnel are being deployed in vulnerable sections for protection of
Railway Properties, as a precautionary measure.
2. Joint patrolling by Tower Wagon has been introduced in various
vulnerable sections prone to terrorist/naxalite attacks.
3. Deploying additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway
Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel for protecting the Railway
property has enhanced the security of affected Railway stations, trains
and other vital installation and Railway passengers against terrorist and
naxalite attacks.
4. Apart from maintaining close liaison with Civil Police and Intelligence
Authorities, surveillance at some Railway Stations is being monitored
though Close Circuit Televisions (CCTVs).
(f): Trains will be run in the Naxalite affected areas unless and until the
traffic is disrupted by Naxalites.