How safe are Railway stations in India :

Less crime against women ? :
This headlines in the Hindu of 25th June shocked the chennaiites .“ Cold blooded murder in public view“.

India n Railways is fast developing to be one of the best in the World . In these 24 months we ,the passengers have seen remarkable improvement in many areas ; the old system of functioning giving way to the new ,modern and effective. Are we sure the railways provide sufficient security for the gullible women and children ? Look at the clipping “ Cold blooded murder in public view“ [I am trying to attach the clip] ; in a sub urban railway station in Chennai. There have been several incidences of rape and murder reported in public places all over India. This one in Nungambakkam railway station of the “ 24 year old Swathy’s murder, in broad day light.” is still fresh in the minds of the Chennaiites, though the accused has been arrested. We have always seen 100’s of policemen and women waiting as V.I.P. security even without fire arm on a daily basis in India . But there was none on 25th June at Nungambakkam suburban railway station in Chennai. If there was one of those 100’s on VIP’s security, even with a Baton could have prevented the death . Or at least called the Ambulance.

If a formal complaint was lodged would have resulted in apprehension and a wrap on his knuckles that would have made him go his way and may be never would have attempted another stalking in his life ;as he was an Engineering student come from a very backward village and poor farm labourer parentage ,come to Chennai to clear his arrears and seek job. The absence of timely complaint would have given him courage to pursue stalking. Now the whole city is grieving on the incident praying another should not occur . There have been instances of 4 yearolds being abducted from Chennai central Railway station. We have heard in Mumbai suburban railway station women being harassed and even thrown out of the trains.

So what should we do, and the Railways should do ?
Former C.B.I. Director ,R.K .Raghavan ‘s comment : “ Saving life is more important than preserving evidence. In this case the body was waiting from 6.30 to 8.15 A.M. on the platform. Hospitals were not far away. One of the 3 medical college hospitals could have been reached exactly in 20 minutes if any railway staff , R.P.F., shop keepers or passenger had phone up. The body had stayed on the platform for 1 ¾ hours missing the first aid and the Golden hour just for evidence. “ what prevents people from giving evidence ? one is police harassment , another is attacks and reprisals .

What do we do , The Railways do in future such incidences?

1. On the ‘life is more important basis’ phone up for Ambulance as suggested by the former C.B.I. Director.
2.The shop keeper / s should take the lead as they are more conversant with the station lay out and immediately report to the Station master , who has many ways of connecting to the police as well as hospitals.
3. The citizens should be more sensitive to these issues take the initiative, at least phone up the Ambulance .
4.No need to appoint fresh experienced police ; take from the trainee police personnel , just give a baton give the 2 most important phone numbers, the Ambulance and Police , naturally inform the local head the Station master.
5. The police should henceforth concentrate on crime prevention on women rather than make it happen and then solve the problem.
a) they should not wait for complaint on stalking from the victims , as the public is afraid for the 2 reasons given above . They should be on the rounds in plain clothes around the commuting points to and fro Bus stands Rail stations and confront the stalkers directly to let them know it is a punishable crime . If there is resistance take him to the station.
b) Now and then also travel in trains to identify identify the stalker ; keep a tract and come with a group and warn or take them to the police station. Like the police keeps a record of pick pockets, rowdies henchmen , let them have a list stalkers. The police has been trained well in all branches particularly crime detection , extracting information from accused, law and order and traffic. Let the police trian them inthis field also it is the need of the hour .
6.Cut down at least a minuscule of percentage of V.I.P. security to provide strength to protect citizens , particularly women and children in Railway stations .

When these precautions are taken there will be no need to spend money and install CCTV in all and sundry stations if these precautions are taken . more