Taking a cue from the success of the Janamaithri community policing system in the state which has helped the police foster relationship with the public, the state police is set to introduce a similar policing model in the railways.
The novel project titled ‘Janayatra Suraksha Committee’ policing will function in the lines of the Janamaithri Police in active participation of rail passengers along with the Government Railway Police (GRP).
The public will be made aware of the various thefts that occur in trains and railway stations. They will be given an important role in assisting the police in tracking down such thefts.
The GRP also expect this project to bring down criminal activities against women and children.
Director-General of Police K S Balasubramanian told Express that he has approved of the project and will be implemented soon.
The project has also received the approval of the IG of the Intelligence Wing who heads various units of the government railway police in the state.
“A detailed study on how to implement such a system is being carried out.
“We received the report on October 4 and with the available information, we will go ahead to study further possibilities on the project,” said top officials with the Government Railway Police.
The officials admitted that ‘Janayatra’ policing will be a bit more difficult to implement compared to the Janamaithri system since the public involved here will be a ‘floating’ population.
“Unlike Janamaithri policing where the local community is involved, here we are dealing with a moving public. We may face a difficult task in identifying stakeholders who can be roped in for successful policing with the GRP.
“However, we are planning to hold talks with several railway passenger associations. Also, vendors and daily commuters will be involved in the project,” the officials said.
Once individuals and associations are identified, the project will be launched in the state.
“The team of Janayathra police will be associated with all government railway police stations across the state under the Palakkad and Thiruvananthapuram divisions.After its launch, several programmes akin to the initiatives by Janamaithri Police will be implemented.