Daisy
Patna: East Central Railway (ECR)’s recent initiative to lodge FIRs on running trains has evoked good response. Railways has taken this initiative in close coordination with Government railway police (GRP) GRP escorting passenger trains under all five divisions of the zone.
ECR GM A K Mittal had inaugurated this new system recently. About 700 passenger trains are either passing or originating from all five divisions of the zone. GRP and RPF personnel are providing escort duty in about 130 trains mostly those running in nights. Though onboard facility of lodging FIRs was available in a few trains, railways decided to extend this facility to more passenger trains so that passengers could lodge any complaint or case with the police on the running trains in case of any incident.
According to sources, FIR books are available with the escort party on running trains. There is a printed format of FIR. In the event of any criminal offence on running trains like loot, dacoity, theft of luggage, eve teasing or robbery, passengers can simply fill the printed format of FIR to register their case. A copy of the FIR would be handed over to the passengers concerned, sources said adding it would be the duty of the escort party to hand over the case to the police station or GRP post concerned depending on place of occurrence.
Besides, railways security helpline number 182, which was made functional recently, has also evoked good response. This integrated number is being monitored by railway security control room at ECR headquarters, Hajipur. This number is valid in all five divisions of the zone. Passengers can dial this number in case of any problem during journey. Women passengers can use this number if they feel insecure or harassed by the miscreants on running trains during journey, sources said. Superintendents of railway police ( SRP) in different districts have been asked to get FIRs lodged on running trains and strictly deal with the criminal offences.
According to sources, about more than 100 FIRs have been lodged so far after commissioning of onboard facility of lodging FIRs. RPF and GRP personnel have been directed to check each coach first and ensure foolproof safety to passengers, sources said.