JOIN US26/11: Railways on alert mode
For, a major portion of its force has been sent to Jharkhand in view of the Assembly elections to be held in five phases there from November 25 to December 18.
These elections could not have come at a more inopportune time for a force facing an acute shortage of manpower. Refusing to divulge statistical details, a top security personnel conceded, said, “A sizeable number of RPF personnel has been sent to Jharkhand and we are having limited resources. However, we are trying to ensure no lapse in security.” The RPF is already reeling under staff shortage and a letter requesting 1,000 personnel urgently all over the State has already been despatched a month ago to the Railway Board in New Delhi.
Both the RPF and the Government Railway Police (GRP) are gearing up for the big day.
Elaborating on the measures, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner, RPF, Bangalore Division, Trivedi said, “We have declared `high alert’ at all stations in the City from November 25 to November 27 and all our personnel have been urged to enhance the scrutiny measures being adopted.”
Intelligence inputs
The inputs given by the intelligence are being carefully followed up, he added. The RPF was also working in close co-ordination with the GRP to heighten vigil. Senior Divisional Manager of the Division, Akhil Agrawal said that sniffer dogs were being deployed at all stations and surveillance cameras were being closely monitored.
Superintendent of Government Railway Police Dr Rajappa said that the police were keeping a close watch at all stations. Another top GRP official lamented that the GRP too needed to have enhanced staff strength to ensure safety of passengers both in trains and platforms. The ratio of the number of policemen per km of railway track for Karnataka is said to be the lowest in South India.