Lok Sabha Question No. 1021 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Crimes in Long Distance Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1021 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## CRIMES IN LONG DISTANCE TRAINS

1021.  DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  is  an  increase  in  the  number  of  cases  of burglary,  looting  and  other  crimes  against  passengers  in various long distance trains;
- (b) if  so,  the  number  of  such  instances  reported  during  the  last one year, zone-wise; and
- (c) the efforts made by the Railways to check such incidents and ensure fear free journey of passengers in trains?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (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.  1021  BY  DR.  NISHIKANT  DUBEY  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  26.07.2023  REGARDING  CRIMES  IN LONG DISTANCE TRAINS

(a)  to  (c):  'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the Seventh  Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of  India  and,  therefore,  State Governments are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation  of  crime  and  maintenance  of  law  and  order  on  Railways through their law enforcement agencies viz. Government Railway Police (GRP)/District  Police.  Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  supplements  the efforts of GRP/District Police to provide better protection and security to  railway  property,  passenger  area  and  passengers  and  for  matters connected therewith.

Cases  of  crime  under  Indian  Penal  Code  (IPC)  are  registered  and investigated  by  the  concerned  GRP.      Based  on  the  data  provided  by GRP  Stations,  the  cases  of  burglary,  theft  of  passengers'  belongings, dacoity,  robbery  and  drugging  reported  in  long  distance  trains  over Indian Railways have decreased during the year 2022 as compared to the year 2019. Data of crime in year 2020 & 2021 is not considered for comparison as the passenger train operation was severely curtailed due to the onset of Covid -19.

The  following  steps  are  being  taken  by  the  Railways  in  coordination with  GRP  for  safety  and  security  of  passengers  in  trains  and  at stations:-

1. On  vulnerable  and  identified  routes/sections,  trains  are  escorted by  Railway  Protection  Force  in  addition  to  trains  escorted  by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2. For immediate assistance passengers can make complaint on Rail Madad Portal directly or through Helpline Number 139 (integrated with National Emergency No.112).
3. Railways  are  in  regular  touch  with  passengers  through  various social media platforms viz. twitter, facebook, koo etc. to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.
4. Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.
5. CCTV  cameras  have  been  provided  in  7264  coaches  and  866 Railway Stations for enhanced security of passengers.
6. Under 'Meri Saheli' initiative, focused attention has been provided for safety and security of lady passengers travelling alone by long distance trains for their entire journey i.e. from originating station to destination station.
7. Zonal  railways  have  been  instructed  for  deployment  of  proper combined strength of male & female RPF/RPSF personnel in train escort parties, to the extent possible.
8. State  Level  Security  Committee  of  Railways  (SLSCR)  have  been constituted for all State/Union Territories under the Chairmanship of respective Director General of Police/Commissioner of States/Union  Territories  for  regular  monitoring  and  review  of security arrangements of the Railways.

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