'Better coordination between RPF, IB and State police required'

New Delhi, Mar 13 : Minister of State for Railways R. Velu today said that a high level meeting between Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was held on January 13, decided that there is a need for better cooperation and coordination between the Railway Protection Force (RPF), GRP, the State Police and Intelligence Bureau (IB).

To ensure these objectives, Ministry of Railways will nominate State-wise nodal officers. List of such officers will be sent by Railways to IB.

The present set up of intelligence and coordination among various stakeholders is not proper. Therefore, a mechanism will be set up for intelligence sharing and dissemination among them especially IB, RPF and State Police.

RPF will accord top most priority to the security of passengers among its charter of duties.

Owing to increase in the charter of responsibilities after amendments in the Railways Act and the RPF Act, which give the responsibility of the security of Railway property, passengers and passenger area to the RPF, there is a definite need to proportionately increase the strength of RPF.

In view of increased responsibility on the face of high vulnerability of Railways and travelling public, legal empowerment of RPF is essential for providing effective security to passengers and passenger area. This should be examined and necessary amendments in the Act and rules may be resorted to.

ANI