70% railway cops on poll duty; security on trains missing

As many as 2,400 of the 3,500-odd government railway police (GRP) personnel have been sent to different parts of the state for election duty, leaving a handful to patrol railway stations in the city.

With over 70% GRP personnel on election duty between February 4 and 11, expect little assistance on platforms and trains, especially the ladies compartments, in case of thefts and harassment.

The move to deploy so many police personnel on election duty has put additional pressure on an already-depleted force. Of the 279 police personnel deployed at CST on an everyday basis, 165 will be on election duty. Besides CST, they also have to cover Masjid Bunder, Sandhurst Road and Byculla stations.

What’s worse, of the remaining 114 personnel, at least 15 are on sick leave, weekly offs or on deputation at the offices of the additional DGP (railways) at Churchgate or the GRP headquarters at Wadi Bunder and DCP (central railway zone) in Byculla. This leaves only 90-odd policemen to patrol 18 platforms at CST, where 57 people were killed during the 26/11 attack, and three other stations.

With the railways being a soft target for terrorists, people are concerned about the lack of security arrangements during the election season. 

However, Bapu Thombre, assistant commissioner of police, GRP commissioner, Mumbai, says there is no reason to worry. “Nothing will happen. All the senior railway police officers will work round-the-clock to ensure the safety and security of commuters,” he said.