Date:24/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/24/stories/2007012416690900.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Priority for RPF modernisation

S. Vydhianathan

Training to combat terrorist activities

RPF empowered to check minor offences

It does not have power to detect crimes under IPC

CHENNAI: Priority is being given to modernisation of the Railway Protection Force, including procurement of modern gadgets, in view of the "increasing terrorist activities" on railway property, according to RPF Director- General A.K. Suri.

After the bomb blasts in the Mumbai suburban trains and stations, the Railway Ministry decided to strengthen its security forces. The steps included replacement of conventional .303 rifles with sophisticated Insas rifle, which is akin to AK 47, setting up of bomb detection squads, installation of surveillance cameras and X-ray scanner and deployment of dog squads in major stations. In addition, it is planned to give periodic training to RPF personnel in combating terrorist activities.

Recently the RPF organised an international meet on "Terrorism and how to tackle it" on behalf of the Union of International Confederation of Railways, which has its headquarters in Paris.

In an interview to The Hindu , Mr. Suri stressed the need for empowering the RPF. Thanks to the recent amendment of the Railway Act, the RPF had been empowered to check minor offences, including hawking, tout menace and unauthorised travel on trains. It had booked cases against more than one lakh people for such offences and collected fine to the tune of Rs. 32 crore last year. But the major shortcoming was that it did not have the power to check or detect crimes under the IPC. If the force was given powers, it would go a long way in checking chain snatching and baggage theft in trains. The Central Government would take a decision soon.

Mr. Suri, who would lay down office before this month-end, said the RPF's manpower was not sufficient compared to the volume of passenger and freight traffic. More than 12,000 constable posts were vacant when he took over.

During his tenure, he could fill these vacancies. Another 10,000 constable posts would become vacant by December 2008. Provision had been made for filling these posts periodically.

As the RPF did not have proper infrastructure to give sophisticated training to all newly recruited candidates, the training would be given in phases, he said.