The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : New security gadgets to be acquired for bomb detection squad

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Saturday, Jan 19, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

New security gadgets to be acquired for bomb detection squad

RPF is focussing on widening its network to check crimes on board trains too, writes
R. Rajaram

— Photo: M. Moorthy

Up-to-date: Railway Protection Force personnel using an under vehicle search mirror, to check for explosive substances under a car, in Tiruchi on Friday.

Vested with the additional responsibility of providing security on board trains and railway stations, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is now in the process of acquiring modern security gadgets exclusively for its Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) to be set up in Tiruchi Railway Division.

The approval for a dedicated BDDS squad to act in times of emergency and crisis situations is yet another security-related measure on the part of the RPF authorities to thwart any possible sabotage attempt and ensure the safety of the rail travellers.

Though the squad would essentially be deployed at the divisional headquarters, it would visit important railway stations falling under the Tiruchi Railway Division limits where it would conduct random checks.

About Rs.30 lakh has been sanctioned for the acquisition of security gadgets exclusively for the BDDS squad which includes vapour tracer, prodder, bomb suppression blanket, bomb disposal suit, telescopic extension mirror, under vehicle search mirror, hand-held metal detectors and wireless sets.

Some of these gadgets have already been procured. RPF personnel already trained in bomb detection and disposal would be handpicked for the Bomb Squad which would function round-the-clock.

The BDDS squad would comprise around 10 RPF personnel headed by an officer in the rank of a Sub Inspector, says the Divisional Security Commissioner, RPF, Tiruchi, S.R. Gandhi.

RPF officials say that measures to enhance security have been initiated over the past few years. The impending installations of around 20 Closed Circuit Television Sets in various strategic points and advanced X-ray baggage inspection equipment, costing Rs.25 lakh, in Tiruchi Junction were the efforts in this direction.

Besides railway stations, vulnerable stretches in different broad gauge sections within the Division have been identified for patrolling in order to prevent miscreants from indulging in activities such as snapping of signal cables that would affect the punctuality of the trains.

Alongside, the RPF is also focussing on widening its information network to check crimes on board trains and stations and thwart any sabotage attempt by enlisting the cooperation of the public.

Though the number of crimes against passengers in Tiruchi Division limits was the lowest in 2007 in Southern Railway, the security personnel have been instructed to ensure that there was no let up in the vigil. Of the 11 crime cases reported in the Division last year, nine have been detected, say the authorities.

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