Lack of coordination is main reason for train robberies, say officials

Hyderabad: Police officials say that lack of coordination between the railways, the RPF and the GRP is the main reason for thefts on trains.

Robberies are of four kinds. Lone offenders, interstate gangs, alert chain pulling gangs (ACP) and gangs that strike in dark areas. To counter them, the railways have set up observation teams at vulnerable stations. This has yielded positive results.

The interstate gangs belonging to Sholapur, Nanded, Bidar, Parbhani and Bihar operate in stretches which connect their native areas. In some cases they board trains and wait till the train reaches the preselected spot. One of the robbers pull the alarm chain while others rob passengers. They then jump off. All this happens in less than five minutes. After the train stops, the guard, security personnel and the TTE arrive at the coach from where the chain was pulled, but by then the thieves would have disappeared. These gangs target single women with jewellery.

The second type of attack is by gangs who block the track and strike as soon as the train stops. Security lapses also lead to thefts. “Trains that have police travelling in them are also robbed as the cops doze off after 3 am. Sometimes, the robbers check out where policemen are seated and rob coaches that are far away. A factor that aids robbery is that TTEs allow unauthorised persons into reserved compartments”, an official said.

The last category is the lone offender who locates his target and robs him or her.

adeptly and quickly gets off the train.

Incharge SP Rajendra Prasad said to counter these offences they have deployed observation teams at all major railway stations to monitor anyone looking suspicious.

"Teams are also deployed at major junctions on the borders of Telangana, like Vijayawada, Ballarshah, Wadi, Basar, Bidar, Gadwal and Nadikudi. In addition to this, there are patrol teams of GRP and RPF deployed on trains. These teams coordinate with the teams at the stations and keep a track on the suspects", the SP said.