A proposal has been made to recruit home guards to help the Government Railway Police (GRP) in manning railway coaches.
The GRP wrote to South Central Railway (SCR) General Manager P.K. Srivastava to appoint home guards in view of escalating crime in moving trains, said Superintendent of Railway Police, Vijayawada Division, Ch. Syam Prasad.
“With the onset of summer, robber gangs from Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Bihar may strike on running trains. The GRP proposes to strengthen security on border stations to prevent entry of dacoits from other States,” Mr. Syam Prasad told The Hindu .
He said permission had been sought to recruit 100 home guards exclusively for Railways, and added that the management responded positively.
Circle Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, and constables would take assistance of home guards to check platforms, waiting halls, canteens, and parking places to avoid any untoward incidents, he said.
Home guards would be deputed in all major stations such as Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Rajahmundry, Bhimavaram, Nadikudi, Tenali, Tadepalligudem, and Bapatla.
The GRP appealed to the railway authorities to cooperate in identifying thieves and anti-social elements on trains and platforms.
We request station masters and superintendents, travelling ticket examiners, ticket collectors, attenders in AC and reservation bogies, booking staff, coolies, and parcel office staff to keep a tab on those carrying explosives and weapons, the SP said.
“The railway police are undertaking joint operations with the civil and RPF personnel with a view to preventing sabotage.
“We have sought the cooperation of railway staff to prevent crimes on railway premises. SCR officials have been urged to watch out for thieves and anti-social elements in CCTVs and alert the police, particularly during night hours,” Mr. Syam Prasad said.
