Title - GRP fails to prevent Theft in Odisha Trains

In yet another daring incident, the thieves and robbers have made a feast while the GRP (Government Railway Police) slept on duty on a running train. The passengers were at the receiving end, as they lost a bag full of valuables, including a laptop. The incident occurred on Bhubaneswar-Balangir route somewhere near Talcher in the wee hours today.

Three passengers, including two ladies were travelling from Bhubaneswar to Balangir in Bhubaneswar-Mumbai BBS LTT SUP EXP (No. 12146) train along with a one-year kid. The train was late by around three hours and left Bhubaneswar at around 2 AM instead of the regulation time of 11:05 PM. The passengers had kept their luggage below the seat where the lady was sleeping along with her kid. One bag was found stolen when they woke up at 5.30 AM. Ironically, they could not find a single cop in the running train from Talcher to Sambalpur to take the complaint.

It’s surprising that the thieves took out a large and heavy bag and fled, while none of the co-passengers or Railway police personnel guarding the berth failed to notice. It is quite obvious that the GRP personnel have become either negligent or are hand-in-gloves with the criminals. A police-criminal nexus cannot be ruled out in such theft cases, which have become a regular phenomenon in the trains despite Railways’ claims that it has taken up safety measures to prevent such incidents.

An FIR has been lodged in connection with the theft with the Balangir Railway Police. They have assured swift action. But, will they come true to their promise and deliver to restore the confidence of passengers who rely on Railways? Only time will tell.