Jul 28, 2012: More women now report about crimes on trains

George Adimathra, TNN Jul 27, 2012, 11.19PM IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There are more reported incidents of crime against women passengers during train journeys. This fact is verified by the number of complaints registered through the helpline numbers of government railway police (GRP) and railway protection force (RPF). However, senior officials of both forces said it didn't indicate an increase in the crime rate. More women come forward and register their complaints, particularly after the Soumya murder, they said.

In 2011, GRP registered 40 cases that include molestation and eve teasing, while till July 24, 2012 they have already registered 40 cases. Similar is the case with RPF 22 were registered in 2011, while this year 25 cases have been filed till July.

The RPF (9995040000) and GRP (9846200100) helplines are witnessing more calls since last year, officials said.

Southern Railway Thiruvananthapuram divisional security commissioner K J Joy said women passengers, who faced an issue, avoided legal procedures and related tangles. "This reluctance prevented many cases from getting reported and I believe that despite our efforts there are unfortunate incidents.

There are more registered cases now because women passengers want justice and we ensure it from our side. I am glad that families are supporting them, which is the need of the hour.

To avoid situations like last week - when the RPF personnel released an offender - we have instructed our men to follow rules stringently," Joy said. Echoing similar sentiments, GRP SP, Rajan John said that the significant increase is also due to the response and help both forces facilitate. "The smooth coordination we enjoy with RPF and local police help us to take up all requests, even pleas for medical help. However, absence of personnel is an impediment," Rajan said. Official said, GRP has 500 personnel in Kerala and RPF has close to 750.

But the force is insufficient argue officials. Meanwhile GRP has launched a new initiative titled 'Subhayathramangalam' under which passengers can register complaints with beat officers on trains and avail a copy of the complaint immediately.

Passenger need not go to police station to keep track of the case, they can get case procedure details through a telephone call.

Thiruvananthapuram: There are more reported incidents of crime against women passengers during train journey, reveals the complaints registered through the helpline numbers of government railway police (GRP) and railway protection force (RPF). However, senior officials of both these forces said it didn't indicate an increase in crime rate but only proves that more women now come forward to register their complaints, particularly after the Saumya murder.

In 2011, GRP registered 40 cases that include molestation and eve teasing, while in the year 2012 up to July 24, they have already registered 40 cases. Similar is the case with RPF which registered 22 cases of crime against women in 2011, but already filed 25 cases up to July 2012.

The RPF helpline 9995040000 and GRP's 9846200100 are witnessing an increase in calls since last year, officials said.

K J Joy, Southern Railway Thiruvananthapuram divisional security commissioner, said that previously women passengers who faced an issue had used to avoid legal procedures and related tangles. "That prevented many cases from getting reported and I believe that despite our efforts to remain vigil there are situations occurring when the modesty of a woman is outraged. The rise in cases registered is because women passengers now want justice and since we ensure that, they are coming forward. I am glad that their families are supporting them, which is the need of the hour. To avoid situations like last week when the RPF personnel released an offender we have instructed the force to follow rules stringently," Joy said.

Echoing this, GRP SP, Rajan John said that significant increase in response is result of both forces facilitating support for the passengers.

"The smooth coordination we have with RPF and local police are helping us to meet the demands and both our helplines are receiving pleas for even medical help. However absence of personnel is an impediment affecting both of us," Rajan pointed put.

While GRP just has 500 personnel for the state, RPF has close to 750 personnel, which according to officials are too low to meet the demands.

Meanwhile GRP has also launched 'Subhayathramangalam', a venture under which passengers can register complaints with beat officers on train and avail a copy of the complaint immediately. The scheme is to help passenger avoid going to police station and receive details on case procedure through telephone.
Link: More women now report about crimes on trains