Updating knowledge on security and aspects connected with this vital area has become imperative for the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel in today's security scenario.
It is by way of organising courses on a wide variety of security-related subjects periodically for the officers and men of the force that the RPF authorities aim to improve the working knowledge of their field-level personnel on security-related matters and sharpen their skills and efficiency to respond swiftly to grave situations.
The specialised capsule course on explosives, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and counter measures currently underway in Tiruchi for a select band of officers of the RPF, entrusted with the responsibilities of protecting railway property; providing armed escort on board trains and security in stations; is yet another conscious effort to augment the working knowledge of the field-level personnel to perform their duties more effectively.
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Officers in the rank of Assistant Sub Inspector and Sub Inspector numbering 32 from Chennai, Tiruchi, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram and Salem railway divisions besides those from the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur in Chennai are attending the six-day course that encompasses theoretical and practical sessions. The carefully designed specialised course covers a gamut of contents including classification of explosives; IEDs its types and mechanisms; bomb threat contingency plan; search procedures; detection methodology; evacuation techniques; ways of handling IEDs; bomb detection and disposal equipment; bomb threat contingency plan; collection of intelligence and investigations.
In addition to utilising the faculty at the RPF Zonal Training Centre here for handling sessions, the RPF authorities had specially invited officers from the Tamil Nadu Commando School, Chennai, of the Tamil Nadu Police to take classes on a mosaic of subjects conforming to the course.
As part of the sessions, the participants were taken to the broad gauge yard near Tiruchi railway junction where they were imparted practical training on detection of IED concealed in the compartments and under frame of the coaches using modern bomb detection equipment including Deep Search Metal Detector and Non Linear Junction Detector.
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The ways of handling bomb detection and disposal gadgets were also demonstrated to the officers besides being told about the ways to evacuate travellers prior to carrying out the bomb disposal mission.
The specialised course is also aimed at improving the knowledge of the participants with respect to the precautionary measures; detection and post blast investigation, says a senior RPF officer here. Over 40 Sub Inspectors and Assistant Sub Inspectors from the Southern Railway zone have attended this specialised course conducted in two batches till now, the officer added.