Lok Sabha Question No. 1886 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Incidents of Crime
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1886 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## INCIDENTS OF CRIME

†1886. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether incident of dacoity/theft in trains are on the rise recently due to which passengers are suffering loss of life and property;

- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to check such incidents and to ensure safety of passengers;

(c) whether the shortage of Railway Protection Force(RPF) is one of the reasons for increase in incidents of dacoity; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1886 BY SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 03.07.2019 REGARDING INCIDENTS OF CRIME

(a)  and  (b):  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.  Cases  of Indian Penal Code (IPC) crimes are registered and investigated by the concerned Government Railway 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. Whenever any information about status of crime on Railways is  sought,  State  GRP is requested to provide information. As per data provided by GRP, the cases of theft of passenger's belongings in trains are on the rise. However, the cases of dacoity in trains have shown a decreasing  trend  from  the  years  2015  to  2017  but  there  is  slight increase  in  such  cases  during  the  year  2018.  Three  passengers  have lost their lives in such incidents of dacoity/theft in trains during the last three years and current year (upto May) over Indian Railways.

The following steps are taken by the Railways in coordination with GRP to ensure 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.
9. 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.
8. (c)  and  (d):  No,  Sir.  Since,  Policing  on  Railways  is  a  State  subject, primary  responsibility  of  prevention,  registration  and  investigation  of cases  of  dacoity  in  Railways  lies  with  the  GRP/Civil  Police  of  the concerned  State.  However,  adequate  number  of  RPF  personnel  are available to assist GRP to ensure secure journey of passengers.

*****