Apart from securing trains, stations premises and the tracks of metro stations, the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) have launched an initiative/drive to provide aid to Metro passengers especially women who are in distress and depression. With saving the lives by rescuing around 200 women in depression and sadness, the force has also saved many lives by preventing the passengers from attempting to commit suicide.
Also, the CISF and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) have recently conducted a joint survey to identify stations that required automatic screen doors and other measures to prevent suicide cases on platforms.
“Till last year, our staffs observed many passengers and helped them but from this year onwards, we decided to launch this initiative formally and have started compiling the data. In every station, CISF constables especially women commandos both in uniform and plain clothes have been deployed to help the passenger in need and also to prevent them from committing suicide,” said Hemendra Singh, Assistant-Inspector General (AIG), also the spokesperson of CISF, Delhi.
As per the data shared by the CISF, a copy of which is with The Pioneer, showed that a total number of 40 suicide/ suicide attempt cases were registered this year from January to till September from which around 11 people were saved from attempting to commit suicide and 15 persons were saved on time and hospitalised. However, around 15 people ended their lives by jumping before the running trains.
“Apart from controlling the CCTV cameras of Delhi metro stations, CISF have also deployed personnel called as 'observers' to keep an eye on people who look disturbed and are hovering near the platform when a train is likely to arrive.CISF inspectors, constables and commandos are trained to observe the body language, behaviour and other symptoms of a person or passenger travelling. Moreover, one can easily identify the passengers in distress and depression through their way of staring, walking and other symptoms. Many times we have found people sitting in the stair cases of stations and platform for hours,” said Singh.
Further, as per the data, the CISF have also handed over around 95 missing children to the parents, Delhi Metro Railway Police (DMRP) and child help line through the station controller.