RPF steps up security for women commuters on Harbour line

Women travelling between 2 pm and 5 pm and post-9 pm have been identified as the most vulnerable to attacks ranging from robbery to molestation,said an RPF officer. Security staff said surveillance during these hours is crucial as miscreants take advantage of few commuters present in the compartments.

Under the special drive,security personnel have removed hawkers,drug addicts and stuntmen from both first and second- class women compartments. Ticket checkers have been included in the drive to levy penalty on offenders travelling without authorisation in women’s compartments,said the officer.

Alok Bohra,senior divisional security commissioner,RPF (Mumbai Division),CR said,“Given the repeated attacks on women commuters we decided to have special squads led by women police personnel to conduct surprise checks in women compartments on Harbour line. This is a special drive in addition to the daily checks that are undertaken.”

Four teams led by women RPF personnel have been deployed from CST to Kurla,Kurla to Mankhurd,Mankhurd to Panvel and Wadala to Kurla to monitor the safety of women commuters.

“We have also asked the teams to take feedback from women commuters during night travel to find out their problems. RPF personnel will also update women’s commuters on the helpline numbers available,” added Bohra.

Since the beginning of the year to September 30,RPF has registered 2181 cases of unauthorised travel in women compartments. A fine of Rs 4.97 lakh has been levied on the offenders. Seventeen offenders have been imprisoned so far.

priyal.dave@expressindia.com