Increased Escort & Protection in more trains :
The increase in train robberies has been on the rise , particularly when passing through forest and lonely stretches at un earthly hour. The entire passengers become sitting ducks despite presence of Gun trotting R.P.F , & G.R.P.F. presence in the trains .Imagine the plight of the Drivers [normally 2 in the cabin ] & the Guard [all by himself that too in the last van];these 2 category of the most important train crew are not armed . At least during the steam engine days , the engine Crew had at least shovels to fend for themselves .
There are a few questions that arise ,
Where do the armed R.P.F. /G.R.P.F vanish at the time of crime .
Also the unarmed T.T.E. who is the next in charge of the Train after the Guard .
The best the Guard can do is to call up for help in what ever way Railways has arranged for when there is an unscheduled stop or slowing down at an unearthly hour and God forsaken place.
Does the railways ever have any strategy to overcome the situation even with the small number of Security traveling in the train to protect us ? Will Railways find the following tips useful ?
* As soon as the train is stopped at an unscheduled place the Security should spring into action . One on the left side and the other on the right side open the door carefully and use the powerful torches given to them to identify where about the robbers are targeting . The middle or the ends.
*Immediately flash news to the concerned in the train , The Guard , T.T.E. and any other like a train sergeant [sargent].
*If able to find any activity around, fire a couple of shots in the air . If challenged take the next step to fire at the robbers. The objective is to save the hapless passengers.
That should be a more effective method of reducing Robberies rather than increasing the number of securities walking around the sleeper coaches .
TRAIN , ARM , EMPOWER THE SECURITY PERSONNEL. more