Railway police on the alert

Published July 13, 2006

LAHORE, July 12: The Railways police have intensified security arrangements in the wake of recent bomb blasts in local trains of Mumbai.

Senior railway officers visited the Lahore railway station on Wednesday to review security arrangements. They directed police officials to keep a vigil on all passengers without disturbing anyone.

All entry and exit points to PR installations would be properly manned and incoming passengers and their luggage would be checked with metal detectors at railway stations.

Railway police officials said the number of commandos in the moving train had been enhanced, especially in Sindh and Balochistan.

Maximum number of PR police staff was being deputed for the protection of railway key points and vital installations as well as in trains by withdrawing them from unimportant duties.

Patrol by railways police was being regularly conducted within the area of PR police jurisdiction. Joint trolley patrol with railways officials was also being undertaken. Pilot engines were being run ahead of main trains in the affected areas to avert any untoward incident.

The police would regularly check the patrolling being conducted by the railways gang men. Any negligence in this respect would be reported to the general manager (operations) as well as divisional superintendents concerned.

Meetings with the district police would be held, to ensure patrolling along the track, outside outer signals. Proper sweeping of all rakes would be carried out at the washing lines before dispatching to railway stations.

Announcements through public address system at railway stations would be made for the education and information of passengers.

Warning boards would also be installed to create awareness among the public.