NEW DELHI: Railways has witnessed an increase in theft cases as 21,688 thefts were reported in running trains and at platforms in 2015 as compared to 16,798 such incidents in 2014.
Theft of passengers' baggages in trains and at platforms continued unabated in the current year also with total 3583 such cases reported upto February 2016, according to Railway Ministry data.
While 2489 theft cases were reported in running trains, 1094 cases happened at platforms in the current year.
Policing being a state subject, prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order at railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility of state governments, said a senior Railway Ministry official.
State governments carry out their responsibilities through Government Railway Police (GRP). However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of the GRP to
provide security to passengers by deploying its staff for escorting of important trains in affected areas and access control duties at important and sensitive stations.
In order to prevent such cases, railways have undertaken a series of measures to strengthen security of passengers and their baggages.
Railways have identified vulnerable routes and trains prone to such incidents and have deployed RPF personnel in those areas.
Regular drives are conducted against unauthorised passengers entering railway premises by RPF.
Currently 2300 trains are escorted by RPF in addition to 2200 trains escorted by GRP on daily basis.
An integrated security system consisting of surveillance of vulnerable stations through close circuit television camera network, access control system, have been sanctioned to improve surveillance mechanism over 202 stations.