LAHORE: Pakistan Railways (PR) has launched an awareness drive aimed at preventing children from throwing stones at running trains, which can cause damage to locomotives and coaches, as well as injuries to crew members and passengers.

The initiative also seeks to discourage people from tying their animals — such as buffaloes, cows, and goats — near railway tracks, as this practice has led to accidents.

Additionally, PR is grappling with a severe shortage of police personnel, creating significant security issues, as reported by Dawn.

“Up to 12 cases of stone-throwing at running trains have been reported from January to date,” an official source in the PR police told Dawn on Friday. “This includes two FIRs lodged in the Lahore division, three in Rawalpindi, four in Multan, two in Karachi, and one in Quetta,” he explained.

The official said that police teams have been deployed in all seven divisions of PR to make announcements via loudspeakers, warning the public to stop their children from playing near railway tracks and throwing stones at trains.

It has also been decided to register cases against the parents of children involved in stone-throwing incidents. Similarly, cases will be filed against owners of animals tied or released for grazing near railway tracks.

The awareness campaign extends to residents of nearby settlements, urging them to stop dumping solid waste in their areas.

In a recent incident, children threw stones at the Tezgam Express near Kot Lakhpat, injuring some passengers. This incident prompted PR police to initiate the awareness drive.

Furthermore, the railway police faces a severe shortage in its sanctioned strength. The current shortfall not only burdens the available personnel but also raises security concerns at railway stations, workshops, installations, and on trains.

“Our sanctioned strength is around 7,300 police officials, but we currently only have 4,200 personnel. The 3,100 vacant positions include 2,800 constables, 80 head constables, 90 ASIs, 10 SIs and 15 inspectors,” he said. Also, 16 positions in the police bomb disposal squad have remained vacant for an extended period. There are also 60 vacant posts for private secretaries, stenographers, registrars, office superintendents, head clerks, upper and lower division clerks, gardeners, and sweepers.

“With this shortage, it’s challenging for the existing strength of PR police to perform effectively. However, despite these challenges, we are trying to meet the expectations of the passengers,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2024