GRP takes steps to curb train robberies

“Passengers with little or no luggage are among the first suspects, especially if they are young men,” said a senior inspector of the GRP who claimed that the culprits are usually in 18-30 age group. These suspects will bewatched by the personnel till Manmad or Pune. Constables will also be posted at each station to supervise people boarding the train in the same manner.

Two men were caught red handed by the GRP on the Gorakhpur Express on August 13 using this technique. Their accomplice Rakesh, however, managed to escape. “Earlier, convicted in a case of dacoity, Rakesh was released from the Nasik prison on August 5,” said the inspector claiming that the other two were wanted in two cases reported this year. Officials claim that trains bound for states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are targetted by the miscreants because of the rush in the general compartments. “People just scramble for seats in trains like Gorakhpur Express which give the robbers a chance to loot without being noticed,” said an officer. GRP’s own record in solving these cases remains poor. In the last three years its crime detection had averaged less than 20 per cent. Even when robbers have been caught, the complainants have very little chances ofgetting their money back. Officials say that this was due to the legal procedure. When a passenger complains of robbery, s/he is expected to remember the serial numbers on the notes. “The amount is usually returned to the accused by the court," an officer revealed.