Lalu announces measures to strengthen RPF

Underlining the need to strengthen the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in the wake of the changed security scenario in the country, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav announced the creation of about 22,000 posts to address the shortfall in security forces in all zones of the Indian Railways.

Speaking at the investiture parade of the RPF on Saturday, Yadav said that the latest security equipments and vehicles would be provided to securitymen in all railway zones including those serving in Jammu & Kashmir. He also said that three new battalions of the RPF and two companies of the Railway Protection Special Force for the North East Frontier region are proposed to be established.

The minister also announced that a special academy is proposed to be set up for RPF personnel where they will be trained in modern security arrangements. Some selected officers and staff of RPF will also be sent abroad for training to enable them to undertake study of railway security system in different countries facing similar problems, Yadav said.

He also said the RPF act would be suitably amended to provide more power to the RPF so as to enable it to effectively prevent thefts. Yadav also presented medals to RPF personnel who successfully thwarted the terrorist attack on CST station.