Title - Security of railway passengers in Jharkhand concerning – Sulekha News

Ranchi, Feb 13 (IANS) The security of passengers on trains is a cause for concern in Maoist-infested Jharkhand, an official here said.

The Maoist guerrillas have blasted railway tracks, stations, and hijacked trains on several occasions in the state.

According to railway sources, of the 28 trains running in the state, only four are provided security.

"Providing escort to every train is not possible. Some are provided escort by Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP)," Director General of Police G.S. Rath said.

Only 48 RPF personnel have been deployed against the requirement of 75 RPF personnel. There are only 32 GRP personnel at Ranchi railway station, a railway official said.

The passengers travelling on trains are targetted not only by Maoist guerrillas but also by criminals.

"The security of railway tracks and trains are cause of concern. On several occasions we have raised the security issue with the state government officials," an official told IANS.

"Railway suffers heavy loss when Maoists call a shutdown," the official said.

A youth was shot dead Monday evening in a passenger train in Khuti district.

Jharkhand is one of states paying highest revenue to the railways.