Even after witnessing a horrific firing incident at Ranchi Railway Station last year the authorities seem to have learnt no lesson for passenger safety as the security remains with severe loopholes in most of the railway stations under the Rail Division. The passengers are rarely checked for possession of arms or any illegal substances at the entry gate.
Health Inspector Rakesh Kumar, deputed at Ranchi Station, had got injured in the firing which took place on September 6, following alleged verbal spat resulting into a scuffle with the body guard of former minister Baidyanath Ram.
The two entered into heated exchange after Kumar asked Rajak not to litter on the station premise and use the dustbins following which Rajak drew his semi-automatic rifle out and fired at Kumar leaving him injured. Rajak had come to see of the Minister and his kin travelling to Delhi by Rajdhani.
"Security arrangement is normal as it was earlier…there is no need to beef it up as the body guard was nabbed by it only," said Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) of Ranchi Rail Division Manas Ranjan Acharya.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials deputed on the Station also believe that there were adequate security arrangements at Ranchi Railway Station. "It could not be termed a security breach as he was a policeman and was holding a service rifle," said an Inspector rank official requesting anonymity. Armed personnel deputed on the Station keeps on patrolling the Station area continuously, especially during the night to avoid any untoward incident, he added.
"In addition to that, close eye on each and every activity at the Station is also done round the clock with the help of 37 cameras installed at every nook and corner of it," said the official. Besides that Deep Search Metal Detectors (DSMD) have also installed at the entry gate to scan each and every person entering into the Station, he added.
The bodyguard, however, was sent to jail charging him under Section 341(Punishment for wrongful restraint), 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation), 307 (Attempt to murder) and 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) of Indian Penal Code.
The issue was reportedly taken up by the Prime Minister's Office, which is said to have sought report from railway authorities.