Murder fails to have any impact on security agencies
Representational image
Chennai: A day after a youth, who stood up against a gang that tried to molest a woman fruit vendor on Pallavaram railway station platform, was murdered, a visit to the station at night turned out to be a scary experience.
At 8 pm on Tuesday, the station was plunged in darkness except for two emergency lamps at ticket counter and stationmaster’s room. A brutal murder, a robbery and an attempt to rape seem to have no effect on security agencies and the railway station premises had just two men in uniform.
Commuters stranded in the station due to power cut in the area used their mobile phone lights to find their way while walking. Enquiries revealed that Southern Railway supplies power to railway stations Tambaram, Mambalam and Egmore. Electricity supply to other suburban stations is from neighbourhood EB station, which cannot promise an uninterrupted power supply.
Lack of adequate police force at railway stations had unnerved many passengers, who are aware about the Monday incident at Pallavaram railway station. “We thought there would be more policemen in the station premises at least on Tuesday night. But there were not much. The power cut made it very unsecured place,” a regular EMU commuter, R Sukritha Raman, 45, a resident of, Pammal working in a firm in Guindy, said.
“It is not safe. I am worried about my daughter who returns home from a software firm after evening shift. I have asked her to be very careful,” said A Raj, a resident of Perungalathur.
Gang of men murdered 24-year-old John when he prevented them from molesting a woman fruit vendor on Monday night in Pallavaram railway station premises.
RPF promises better deployment at stations
Senior railway divisional security commissioner K.K. Ashraf of RPF on Wednesday visited the scene of crime at Pallavaram station premises and held discussions with A. Arun, joint commissioner of police, south, Chennai city, on security issues.
Ashraf also met railway divisional manager Anup Sharma. Ashraf said that orders were given to clear the bush around the station and also construct a wall.
“We will make sure at least one RPF man is posted in all suburban railway stations from 7 pm to 7 am daily. We are also taking steps to keep more railway stations under CCTV cover,” he told Deccan Chronicle. Railway officials also indicated plans to buy generators for power back up at railway stations.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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