Deaths involving trains such as accidental deaths and suicides on the railway tracks are increasing every year in Nellore railway police sub division. The division extend up to Tada in the south, Chirala in the north and Chittoor in the west. As many as 599 persons were killed during 2011 as against 576 in 2010, 578 in 2009 and 509 in 2008.
According to government railway police, most deaths took place on the railway tracks in Nellore, Ongole, Chirala, Renigunta and Tirupati. Police attribute the death toll to unauthorised crossing of pedestrians, especially in towns such as Nellore.
DSP of the division G. Srinivasa Rao alleged that people have been breaking walls constructed close to the railway track to prevent trespassers and inviting death.
He said that travelling on the footboard in running trains is also one of the reasons for the increasing number of deaths. Speaking to this newspaper here on Tuesday, he said that identifying accident victims had become a Herculean task for his department because the bodies were mangled beyond recognition.
Reacting to a question on offences in running trains and platforms, he said that 142 offences took place and 67 were detected in 2011. According to Mr Srinivasa Rao, 129 offences were recorded in 2010 and 45 were detected.
Police have recovered Rs.29.30 lakh worth property as against the total property loss of Rs.70.56 lakh in 2011. In 2010, the property lost was Rs.91.28 lakh and recovery is Rs.56 lakh.
Expressing concern over the shortage of manpower affecting the performance of the railway police department, he said that they had only six sub-inspectors working while the requirement was 11. Similarly, there are only 125 constables as against the required 199.
He said that most of those working in the railway police wing are deputed from the civil, armed reserve and AP special police.
Responding to a question on the general opinion that inefficient and poor performers are deputed to the railway police department, he said that personnel from other police wings feel that transfer to the railways is a punishment posting.
