(a) whether railway passengers are terrorised because of cases of detection of bombs at railway stations and in trains during recent months;
(b) if so, whether the Government have taken or propose to take any effective measure to dispel fear of train passengers; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI BANDARU DATTATRAYA )
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b) & (c): Yes, Sir. Though the responsibility to curb
crime on Railways lies with the State Governments, the
Railway has taken the following steps to supplement the
efforts of the State Governments:
(1) Anti-social elements are being removed from Railway
premises and trains by RPF.
(2) Coach Attendants/TTEs keep proper watch on the
passengers’ entering/detraining from the coaches.
(3) FIR forms are made available with the Train Guards/
Station Masters/RPF to facilitate the travelling public to
lodge their reports immediately.
(4) Sharing of Special Intelligence and Crime Intelligence
between RPF and the GRP is done at all levels.
(5) Announcements are made through Public Address System
and CCTV at important Railway Stations to alert the
travelling passengers against any suspicious looking and
abandoned objects in trains and Railway premises.
Passengers are warned not to touch the suspicious looking
articles, but to inform Police/RPF or Railway authorities.
(6) RPF sniffer dogs, wherever available, are being
deployed at Railway platforms, yards etc. to sniff out
explosive substances. RPF men are being trained in the
identification and detection of explosive devices.
(7) RPF Assistance Posts are provided at important stations
to assist passengers in lodging FIRs with Government Railway
Police.
(8) Periodic High Level co-ordination Meetings with
Government Railway Police and Local Police are conducted to
analyze the crime position with a view to taking suitable
preventive measures.