CCTVs At 866 Stations, Special RPF Deployment: Railway Minister On Passenger Safety In Lok Sabha

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Indian Railways is taking special measures by installing CCTV systems at railway stations to ensure the security of passengers.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that special arrangements, including special Railway Protection Force (RPF) deployment, are already in place at railway stations near border areas.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday said in the Lok Sabha the Indian Railways has installed CCTV systems at 866 railway stations as part of special measures to ensure the safety and security of passengers across the country. He also informed that special arrangements, including the deployment of Railway Protection Force (RPF) deployment are already in place at railway stations near the border areas. The minister said CCTV has become an intelligent unit and their deployment has resulted in a positive impact. It has helped rescue trafficed children, protect women passengers and help aged people as well.

While responding to questions pertaining to CCTV systems at railway stations, Vaishnaw said multiple initiatives have been taken by the government. He also emphasised that cyber security is important when it comes to Internet Protocol (IP)-based CCTV systems.

He said it should be ensured that such systems do not get compromised. IP-based video surveillance system is a digitised and networked version of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV).

Meanwhile, Western Railway Police Commissioner has said that the Railway Police Force (RPF) constable who opened fire inside the moving Jaipur Express Train had lost his calm and that there was no argument involved in the entire incident. The Commissioner said that the constable was not feeling well when the incident occurred. Notably, the firing took place in the train after it crossed Palghar Station on Monday. The constable shot one RPF ASI and three other passengers and jumped out of the train near Dahisar Station. Four casualties, including the ASI, have been reported in the firing incident inside the train. The accused has been arrested. DCP North GRP has been informed, Railway Protection Force said.

"He (RPF constable, Chetan Kumar) wasn't feeling well and lost his calm...There was no argument," Western Railway Police Commissioner said.

Meanwhile, a Mumbai court on Tuesday remanded Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable Chetan Singh to the custody of Government Railway Police till August 7 for allegedly shooting dead four persons on a moving train, news agency PTI reported on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday morning on board the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Express train near Palghar station on the outskirts of Mumbai.

According to the officials, accused constable Chetan Singh (34) allegedly shot dead his senior - RPF Assistant Sub-Inspector Tikaram Meena - and three passengers on board the train, PTI reported. Singh was nabbed with his weapon later while trying to flee after passengers pulled the chain of the train which stopped near Mira Road station (on the Mumbai suburban network).

Two of the deceased passengers have been identified by the railway police as Abdul Kadarbhai Mohammed Hussain Bhanpurwala (48), a resident of Nalasopara in Palghar, and Asgar Abbas Sheikh (48), a resident of Madhubani in Bihar, while the third victim was yet to be identified.

The Railway Board has set up a five-member committee to probe the incident, according to officials, as reported by PTI.