Railway cops to check women’s bogies at major stations

After the murder of a 65-year-old woman passenger in an unreserved train compartment, Mumbai railway police commissioner TA Chavan issued a circular that instructs police to check ladies unreserved compartment of Mumbai-bound express/ mail trains at major stations like Borivli, Dadar, Thane, Kalyan and Panvel.

The woman was stabbed to death by robbers aboard the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus bound Kamayani Express. The circular added that most female passengers get down at Dadar, Thane or Panvel stations on the Central Railway and Dadar and Borivli on Western Railway from ladies unreserved compartment. Any women who continue travelling are at risk of being robbed, assaulted or murdered, pointed out Chavan.

To avert such incidents, Chavan said, railway police personnel in uniform should check the unreserved ladies compartment of Mumbai bound trains as soon as it arrives on the platforms. If cops noticed a female commuter alone in the compartment, they should request to her alight from said coach and shift to the adjoining general compartment. During the checking, railway cops will be on the look out for anti-social element or suspects loitering around the said compartment, they will take stern action against them.

Sameer Javeri, a railway activist, said, “It is good decision taken by the Chavan for the safety and security of the female commuters traveling alone in unreserved compartments.”