Itanagar, Nov 19 : Much to the relief of trouble-torn north-eastern States, the Central Government, under its ‘integrated security system’, is contemplating to install electronic surveillance systems, modern security gadgets, etc. at more than 100 ‘sensitive’ railway stations, including that of NE region, to prevent terrorist attacks on railways and its passengers.
This was informed by Union Minister of State for Railways, Dr R Velu, in a communique, addressed to Lok Sabha MP Kiren Rijiju, who is currently on a Japan tour in connection with ‘Asia 21 Leaders Summit’, being held in Tokyo.
The BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh, during the discussion on Railway Budget 2007-08 and Supplementary Demands for Grants in the Lok Sabha on April 17 last, had sought to know whether the Centre was giving any priority to all the trains running to and from North-east for security.
Responding to the point raised by Rijiju, the Union Minister said besides strengthening its ‘integrated security system’, the Centre was intensifying its machineries for guarding of vital installation and bridges in vulnerable and sensitive areas.Velu, in his letter to Rijiju, said, “Policing is a State subject and prevention and detection of crime on railways is the constitutional responsibility of the State Government concerned through their Government Railway Police.
“However, to provide better security to the travelling passengers in trains and passenger areas, the Railway Police Force Act, 1957 and the Railways Act, 1989 have been amended to enable the Railways to supplement the efforts of the State governments in controlling crime on the Railways.”
In addition to this, Railways has been maintaining close liaisons with the State Police and Government Railway Police for taking suitable preventive measures in vulnerable sections of affected States to avert incidents of terrorist attacks, Velu said.
The Union Minister further said periodical meetings with State administrations of affected States and police authorities are being regularly held by Railway administration to formulate effective joint strategy to combat terrorist attack over Railway system.
Sharing of intelligence between Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police and Intelligence Bureau of affected States has been given priority to combat terrorists’ attack on Railways, he added.
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