The AK-47 assault rifles along with bullet proof jackets, helmets and walkie-talkies would be provided to specially trained RPF personnel manning luxury trains and sensitive stations.
Waking up to the threat of Maoists and terrorists, Railways is procuring 6,000 AK-47 rifles besides critical accessories like bullet-proof jackets and helmets for its security personnel to protect trains and stations.
"We are in the process of acquiring 6,000 fully automatic AK-47 assault rifles from Bulgaria. The payments has been made to ministry of home affairs for the purchase," a senior railway ministry official told PTI.
The AK-47 assault rifles along with bullet proof jackets, helmets and walkie-talkies would be provided to specially trained RPF personnel manning luxury trains and sensitive stations.
Besides the Maoist problem, railways is also facing a serious threat of terror attacks on its luxury trains like Palace-on-Wheel, Deccan Queen, Maharaja Express which mostly carry high-end customers, including foreigners.
"Since passengers of these luxury trains are mostly foreigners, any untoward incident involving them would attract world attention. So, we have made a standard operating procedure with state governments to protect these trains," the official said.
RPF personnel deployed in Maoist-affected areas and also in militancy-prone areas like Jammu and Kashmir and North-East will also be equipped with AK-47s.
The procurement of such large number of AK-47s will not only boost the morale but also enhance effectiveness and fire-power of the RPF personnel, the official said.
The government is procuring more than 20,000 AK-47 rifles for central paramilitary forces including RPF, BSF and CRPF. The procurement is being done through a global tendering process.
"The pre-delivery inspection team has gone to Bulgaria for the purchase," said the official.
Railways is also acquiring CCTV systems, door-frame metal detectors, baggage screening system and hand-held metal detectors for 200 stations as part of its integrated security system.
"Security is also being strengthened at sensitive stations," the official said.
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