Railways plan to depute big-size escort party in trains

"We are contemplating to have a big-size escort party comprising more than 25 armed personnel from both GRP and RPF to stop recurrence of loots in trains in the affected areas," a railway official said. His reaction came in the backdrop of two incidents of dacoities in passenger trains within 48 hours in Bihar.

Around six passengers of Howrah-Amritsar Express were injured yesterday as armed robbers assaulted them and looted cash and valuables worth about Rs 1.5 lakh near Simultala railway station in Bihar's Jamui district. The incident came barely 48 hours after dacoits assaulted and looted passengers of 3111 up Sealdah-New Delhi Lal Quila Express in Lakhisarai district, injuring 21 people including a GRP personnel.

According to a Railway source, DG RPG Ranjit Sinha today discussed the situation with DG Bihar and impressed upon him the need to step up security in stretches where there are high incidents of loot.

The Bihar police is also believed to have held coordination meeting with the local RPF today to devise strategy to stop recurrence of such incidents. The source said Chairman Railway Board is also expected to write a letter to the Bihar government expressing the railway's concern and urging it to improve security in the affected routes.

The source said apart from the incidents of dacoity, there has also been a spurt in cases of drugging in West Bengal and Jharkhand.