There is no turf war between RPF and GRP although there are complexities in that regard which need to be looked into, home minister Rajnath Singh said even as he mooted a proposal for online registration of FIRs for railway crimes to deal with the issue of states’ jurisdiction in the filing of complaints.
“Law and order is primarily the (individual) states’ responsibility. Complaints can be registered online and they can be referred to the state concerned for investigations to be expedited,” Singh said at a conference here on railway security where he, however, stressed that there was “no dearth of coordination” in this area.
Admitting that railways was becoming a soft target for Maoists, Singh said, “We have to ensure security for all modes of transportation. A strategy should be worked out to provide security to all forms of transportation.”
Railway Protection Force (RPF) is the security wing of the public transporter while Government Railway Police (GRP) is under state government. RPF is empowered to protect railway property whereas GRP is responsible for maintaining law and order on rail premises.
There are complaints of non-cooperation from GRP and lack of coordination between RPF, GRP and state police when it comes to securing railway property.
“India has a federal structure and there are some complexities; but there is (also) a solution to it. There is a solution to every problem, why can’t there be a solution for this?” said Singh.
The conference was attended by the Union ministers, high- ranking state police and railway officials.
Referring to the App-based service made operational in Mumbai for women passengers on trains, the Home Minister said, “It can be made operational all over the country.”
Railways recently launched on a pilot basis in Mumbai the App which a woman passenger can use for alerting security personnel in case of any problem.
Further on the subject of railway security, Rajnath Singh said, “We are also mulling a proposal on how to utilise the services of ex-armymen.”
Meanwhile, highlighting the role of the national transporter, the minister said, “Indian Railways is the steel framework of the Indian economy. It not only strengthens the economy, it is also a strategic asset of the country. It carries troops and para-military forces from one place to another when there is a requirement for it.”
The day-long conference is for deliberating on issues involving security of railway passengers and for working out measures for better coordination among security personnel.
Assuring all help, Singh said, “Whatever recommendations come, we will discuss those and act accordingly.”
