Lok Sabha Question No. 1672 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-13
Subject: Attacks on Passengers
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ASADUDDIN OWAISI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1672 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019

## ATTACKS ON PASSENGERS

1672. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that attacks on a particular community in trains have  increased  in  the  recent  past  in  the  country  especially  in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the number of cases where passengers were beaten, robbed and humiliated in trains in the recent past;
- (c) the  number  of  cases  registered  by  Indian  Railways  with  local police and GRP for investigation;
- (d) the number of arrests made so far of the persons involved in these cases; and
- (e) the steps taken or being taken by railways for safety and security of passengers in trains and stations?

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

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1672 BY SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  13.02.2019  REGARDING  ATTACKS  ON PASSENGERS

(a)  to  (e):  No,  Madam.  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. Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP to provide better  protection  and  security  of  passenger  area  &  passengers  and  for matters connected therewith.  Cases of Indian Penal Code (IPC) crimes are  registered  and  investigated  by  the  concerned  Government  Railway Police.  Whenever any information about status of crime on Railways is sought,  State  GRP  is  requested  to  provide  information.  However,  this question is ambiguous, no column for caste or community exists in the standard format of registration of a crime.  Further, close liaison is made by  Railways  with  the  State  Police/GRP  authorities  at  all  levels  for prevention of crime, registration of cases, their investigation and maintenance of law & order in Railway premises as well as on running trains for all castes and communities.

However,  the  following  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Railways  in coordination with GRP for security of passengers in Railways:-

1. On  vulnerable  and  identified  routes/sections,  2500  trains  (on  an average) are escorted by Railway Protection Force daily in addition to  2200  trains  escorted  by  Government  Railway  Police  of  different States daily.
2. Surveillance  is  kept  through  CCTV  cameras,  provided  at  about  453 stations  over  Indian  Railways,  to  ensure  safety  and  security  of passengers.

3. Security  Help  Line  number  182  is  operational  over  Indian  Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.
4. Through  various  social  media  platforms  viz.  twitter,  facebook  etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers to enhance security and address their security concerns.
5. An  Integrated  Security  System  (ISS)  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.
6. All Railway Stations and passenger carrying trains are planned to be progressively provided with CCTV based surveillance system.
7. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
8. Drives are conducted  from  time  to  time  against  the  entry  of unauthorized persons in trains and railway premises.

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