The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Steps on to provide RPF escort to trains, court told

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 23, 2011
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Steps on to provide RPF escort to trains, court told

Special Correspondent

Kochi: Railways have informed the Kerala High Court that efforts are being made to provide the escort of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to all vulnerable passenger trains running between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in the State in the wake of the recent death of a woman passenger following molestation and attack by a miscreant in a running train.

In an affidavit, Railways said the RPF was escorting important passenger trains at night. As the security personnel had multifarious responsibilities and duties, it was not possible for them to provide security to all the passenger trains.

Railways were frequently reviewing the safety and security of the trains, and adopting proactive measures to ensure the safety of the passengers.

The incident in which the woman passenger died after she was attacked was an isolated one, and was not owing to any negligence on the part of Railways.

It said the Government Railway Police (GRP) functioning under the respective State governments were supposed to monitor the law and order in railway areas and on trains.

The GRP had the power to register a case and investigate a crime committed on the premises of Railways. The RPF provided assistance to the GRP in ensuring the security of the passengers. The RPF could prosecute minor offenders such as hawker and persons accused of other nuisance on trains.

The Railway administration was making every effort to enhance the strength of the force, and make the railway premises and trains crime-free.

The affidavit was filed in response to three writ petitions seeking a directive to deploy the Railway Protection Force or the State police in ladies coaches in trains to ensure the safety of women passengers.

The petitions were filed by K.N. Rajani, a lawyer from Cherthala, and two others. The petitions sought a directive to the Railways to position the ladies compartments in the middle of the trains.

The petitioners also pleaded for a directive to conduct a probe into the lapses on the part of Railway officials in charge of passenger security.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala