Security at stations, trains heightened

Published January 28, 2007

LAHORE, Jan 27: Security arrangements at railway stations and in trains have intensified in the wake of Friday’s blast in Islamabad and Youm-i-Ashur. Senior railway officers visited the Lahore railway station on Saturday to review security arrangements. They directed the police officials to keep a vigil on all passengers, without disturbing anyone.

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

Railway police officials said the number of plainclothesmen in the moving train had been enhanced from six to 10.

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

Patrol by the railways policemen was being regularly conducted within the area of PR police jurisdiction.

Joint trolley patrol with the railways officials was also being undertaken. Pilot engines were being run ahead of the main trains in the affected areas to avert any untoward incident.

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

Meetings with the district police have been held to ensure patrolling along the track by the district police, outside the outer signals.

Proper sweeping of all the rakes was being carried out at the washing lines before dispatching to the railway stations. —Staff Reporter