Superintendent of Railway Police (Vijayawada Division) Ch. Syam Prasad has directed the railway police to open fire at robbers, if necessary, so as to protect rail passengers.
“Instructions have been given to the railway police to open fire on robber gangs to prevent robberies. As robbers carry fire arms, knives and other lethal weapons, the police have been told to remain alert and shoot at them if necessary. Depending on the situation, passengers can also retaliate in self-protection,” said the Railway SP.
He sought the cooperation of the railway officers, Travelling Ticket Examiners (TTEs), Ticket Collectors (TCs), booking clerks, attenders in air-conditioned coaches and passengers in identifying strangers, thieves at booking counters and on moving trains and alert the police.
Vulnerable trains“We noticed that robber gangs from Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are targeting Narsapur, Visakha, Narayanadri, Prasanthi, Amaravathi, Palnadu, Chennai, Gouthami, Delta and Rayagada Expresses and Passenger trains between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.,” Mr. Prasad said.
Nine teams, including six armed teams, have been constituted to guard the trains between Vijayawada-Bapatla, Vijayawada-Dhanakonda, Vijayawada-Rajahmundry, Rajahmundry-Bhimavaram, Rajahmundry-Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada-Nadikudi, Visakhapatnam-Rayagada and Visakhapatnam-Palasa routes, he added.
The teams will move in running trains, check the bogies particularly those reserved and the railway station premises. Armed police teams were instructed to conduct surprise raids by changing trains at different points to check robberies, he said.
Tips for passengersMr. Syam Prasad asked passengers not to leave valuables on the seats/berths or hand them over to unknown persons while leaving the seats. Passengers occupying the window seats should be more cautious, as they could be easy targets for the robbers.
The SP appealed to the passengers to inform the police or the TTEs on movement of any strangers/suspects on trains or on the platforms.
For graphic
