Nellore: Alarmed at the increasing number of criminals offering drug-mixed freebies such as biscuits, beverages and other eatables in moving trains, with a view to relieve them of cash and ornaments, the railway police here have decided to tackle the menace in an innovative manner.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Inspector Y. Sridhar said that the police have decided to play cassettes containing messages in 3 languages, in all compartments — including A.C. and general compartments, advising the passengers to be wary of strangers. The messages in Telugu, Hindi and English are in Sub-inspector Sk. Rasheed's voice. They appeal to the passengers not to fall prey to unknown passengers who offer them eatables and drinks. The passengers are warned not to consume them as at times they may be life-threatening. The cassettes appeal women passengers near windows not to sleep with ornaments.

Initially, the cassettee is also played on the platform through the public address system. He said that the lone kit is secured exclusively by the railway police and added that the police have written to the Divisional Railway Manager, to provide at least 5 such kits for Nellore. The railways here have to resort to this method as it was found that messages on CCTVs have not produced the desired results as the passengers are generally in a hurry to catch the train and on most occasions spend time with their friends and well-wishers on the platform.

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