Odisha has proposed strengthening of the Government Railway Police (GRP) system. Participating in the State DGPs’ meeting convened by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss about the coordination between the GRP and the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Odisha ADG of Police BK Sharma and IG, Railways, Mahendra Pratap said efforts should be made to further strengthen the GRP system in the States.
Sharma said the meeting had a threadbare discussion on the facilities and safety of railway passengers. As both the GRP and the RPF are responsible for the safety and security of the passengers, the meeting discussed about proper coordination between these two agencies.
He said the representatives of each State requested Railway Board officials to look into the existing problems of the GRP such as lack of adequate space in GRP stations, delay in the accommodation of GRP personnel and lack of modernisation.
It was decided that henceforth, any complaint by passengers would be registered by the concerned GRP. However, the case would be transferred to another GRP station if the area comes under its jurisdiction where the incident had taken place.
“Considering the gradual expansion of railways in terms of passenger and goods transport, we want that the GRP should be strengthened,” Sharma said.
Besides, Odisha also opposed the proposal of the Railway Ministry for an amendment to the Railway Protection Act, 1957. Sharma and Mahendra Pratap were of the opinion that an amendment to the Act would contravene Article 264 of the Constitution.
They also maintained that the proposed amendment to the Act which would give more policing power to the RPF would grossly violate the Indian Police Act, 1861.
The meeting sought the opinions of the state DGPs on ten issues relating to railway security. Besides, it also reviewed the plying of trains and safety of passengers and railway tracks in the Maoist-prone areas.
The Odisha representatives, while informing the meeting about the ongoing railway projects in ten places in the Maoist prone areas of the state, stressed proper coordination between the Central and State Governments and provision for adequate security in these areas.
They also pointed out that out of the people killed every year in railway mishaps in the State, identities of about 30 per cent to 40 per cent of them are not ascertained.