NCP leader Chitra Wagh meets rly police over rising cases of crime against women

The chief of NCP’s women’s wing, Chitra Wagh, met senior railway police officials on Monday at a time when crimes against women are rising. Wagh met RPF and GRP officials of both Central and Western Railways.

During the meeting, Wagh found there was a lack of coordination between the two agencies. She said statistical details relating to crime against women maintained by them had variations.

The statistics maintained by GRP relating to crimes

against women show that at least 32 cases were registered in 2017 (till July), 74 in 2016 and 89 in 2015 on both lines. RPF has registered a total of 16 cases in 2016 and 7 cases in 2017.

“During an incident of crime against women, there is a confusion between the two agencies on registering the case. RPF claims it is GRP who registered cases of crime against women,” said Wagh.

Wagh also alleged that there is a lack of manpower in both RPF and GRP to tackle the rising cases of crime against women on both the lines. RPF officials said they have sent a proposal to increase their manpower to increase the security on platforms and railway stations.

The total staff strength of GRP is at least 1,200 and there are 2,100 RPF officials on western line and at least 1,725 on central line. “RPF officials agreed that the staff strength needs to be increased to cater to more than 20 lakh passengers travelling in trains on both lines,” said Wagh.

Wagh also raised the need to remove drug addicts from railway platforms who tend to become a nuisance for women commuters. The need for raising awareness of RPF helpline number 182 was also discussed during the meeting with the officials.