Now, rail roko a criminal act in Odisha

It was also decided to bring more number of railway stations under CCTV coverage

It’s a warning bell for agitators indulging in rail roko activities in Odisha. From now on, rail roko in the state will attract criminal prosecution, besides imposition of penalty.

A decision to this effect was taken on Tuesday at the first meeting of the newly-constituted high level security committee for railways.

The meeting was presided over by Odisha DGP Dr Rajendra Prasad Sharma, the chairman of the newly-constituted committee. “Rail Roko activities have caused serious financial losses to the state and Union governments and inconveniences to passengers. In view of this, railways have decided to criminally prosecute all agitators,” Inspector General (Railway Protection Force) Atul Pathak said.

Odisha DGP Dr Sharma directed GRP officers for similar action as and when required.

It was decided to apprise the courts of financial losses occurring due to rail roko so that the agitators can be made financially liable also under the Railways Act.

“It was decided to bring more number of railway stations under CCTV coverage. It was observed that due to CCTV coverage many cases of theft have been detected in major railway stations like Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Rourkela and Jharsuguda. Besides, patrolling will be intensified in vulnerable areas affected by Left Wing Extremism” Dr Sharma added.