Lok Sabha Question No. 2343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-01
Subject: Crimes in Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MANHOR UNTWAL, C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2343 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2018

## CRIMES IN TRAINS

†2343. SHRI MANOHAR UTAWAL: SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  incidents  of  thefts, dacoity, pickpocketing and other criminal activities are increasing in long distance trains;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  number  of  such  incidents  which have  came  to  the  notice  of  the  Government  during  the  last  three years  and  the  current  year  along  with  the  steps  taken  by  the Government in this regard; and
- (c) the number of persons apprehended for the said crimes during the above period?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )

- (a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2343 BY SHRI  MANOHAR  UTAWAL  AND SHRI C. MAHENDRAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 01.08.2018 REGARDING CRIMES IN TRAINS

(a) to (c): Policing on Railways being a State subject, prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as on running trains are the statutory responsibility  of  the  State  Governments,  which  they  discharge  through Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. However, Railway Protection  Force (RPF)  supplements  the  efforts  of  GRP  to  provide  better protection and security of passenger area & passengers. Cases of Indian Penal Code (IPC) crime including theft, robbery, dacoity, drugging etc. in Railways  are  registered  and  investigated  by  the  concerned  Government Railway Police. Railways does not maintain any data on Indian Penal Code (IPC) crimes. Whenever any information about status of crime on Railways is sought, State GRP is requested to provide the information. As per data provided by the Government Railway Police Stations, except cases of theft of passengers' belonging (cases of pickpocketing included in theft), other crimes viz. dacoity, robbery and drugging have decreased during the last three  years  in  long  distance  trains.  Based  on  the  data  provided  by  the Government Railway Police Stations, the cases of theft, robbery, dacoity and drugging that took place in long distance trains and number of persons arrested for these crimes during the year 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 (upto June) over Indian Railways are as under-

| Year             | No. of cases of crime in long distance trains registered           | No. of cases of crime in long distance trains registered   | No. of cases of crime in long distance trains registered   | No. of cases of crime in long distance trains registered   | Total number of   |
|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|                  | Theft of passengers' belongings (including cases of pickpocketing) | Robbery                                                    | Dacoity                                                    | Drugging                                                   | persons arrested  |
| 2015             | 12592                                                              | 44                                                         | 511                                                        | 284                                                        | 3151              |
| 2016             | 14619                                                              | 35                                                         | 406                                                        | 218                                                        | 3331              |
| 2017             | 18936                                                              | 26                                                         | 389                                                        | 155                                                        | 3898              |
| 2018 (Upto June) | 9222                                                               | 11                                                         | 148                                                        | 89                                                         | 1378              |

The following steps have been taken by the Railways to ensure security of rail passengers:

1. On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, Railway Protection Force escorts are provided in 2500 trains (on an average) daily, in addition to 2200 trains wherein escorts are provided by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2. Surveillance  is  kept  through  CCTV  cameras,  provided  at  about  436 stations over Indian Railways, to ensure safety and security of passengers.
3. An Integrated Security System consisting of surveillance of vulnerable stations  through  Close  Circuit  Television  Camera  Network,  Access Control  etc.  has  been  sanctioned  to  improve  surveillance  mechanism over 202 railway stations.
4. To provide round the clock security related assistance to passengers, including reporting of any crime in trains, All India Security Helpline No. 182 is operational through Divisional Security Control Rooms of Railway Protection Force across Indian Railways.
5. Passengers are educated through distribution of pamphlets, pasting of stickers  in  trains  and  premises,  announcements  by  Loud  Hailers  and Public  Address  System  to  take  precaution  against  theft,  snatching, drugging etc.
6. Through  various  social  media  platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook  etc., Railways  are in regular touch  with  passengers  including  women passengers  to  enhance  security  of  passengers  and  to  address  their security concern.
7. Drives are conducted from time to time against the entry of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises.
8. Ladies Special trains running in Metropolitan cities are being escorted by lady RPF personnel. In other trains, where escorts are provided, the train  escorting  parties  have  been  briefed  to  keep  extra  vigil  on  the ladies coaches en-route and at halting stations.
9. Liaison  is  made  by  RPF  with  the  State  Police/GRP  authorities  at  all levels for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law and order in Railway premises as well as on running trains.

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