Spike in forced entry in train coaches

Special squads have been activated. Cases of forced entry are like in the past, but the percentage increase in the number getting booked for the offence is reflective of the efforts that have been put in place.

Incidents of forced entry in reserved coaches of trains in Northern Railway’s Delhi region increased by 63% in the first seven months this year as compared to the same period in 2016.

Forced entry causes discomfort to passengers and is a security threat.

Data released by the Delhi division of Northern Railway on Monday said instances of chain pulling, which at times is related to crime, have spiked during the same period.

The data, however, showed a dip of about 17% in cases of forced entry in the ladies coaches.

Railway officials, however, attributed the spike in number to ‘increased surveillance’ by security agencies.

“The railways has been focusing on spotting unauthorised people, both on trains and stations. Special squads have been activated. Cases of forced entry has been like in the past, but the percentage increase in the number getting booked for the offence is reflective of the efforts that have been put in place,” said RN Singh, divisional railway manager (Delhi).

The railway officials said dedicated teams with about 10 members have been formed with the sole mandate of identifying unauthorised persons on trains and stations, be it in form of passengers or vendors.

“These squads have been deployed at New Delhi, Old Delhi and Nizamuddin railway stations,” Singh said. The squads have been cracking down on unnecessary alarm chain pulling as it is closely linked to petty crimes committed when the trains are on the move.

The railway officials said few recent crimes (such as Junaid’s killing in Faridabad) have created a negative image among the people.

“The cases of robbery dipped from 128 in 2015 to 74 in 2016. And up to June this year, only 12 cases of robbery have been registered. Similarly, against 11 cases of murder in 2015 and 2016, only four murder cases have been registered this year. The cases of theft of passenger belongings is also witnessing a dip from 2874 cases in 2016 to a mere 1225 in the past seven months,” Singh said.