RPF in modernisation mode: DG

Tiruchirappali, Mar 17 (UNI) The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is being modernised with latest weapons and equipment, its Director General A K Suri today said.

Speaking after the passing out parade of the 78th batch of recruits, Mr Suri said the force was being provided with modern weapons like INSAS and self-loading rifles (SLR).

The shorfall in the cadre strength will be made up with the recruitment of 25,000 cadets in a phased manner after approval from the Railway Board, he said.

The Railway Police Special Force (RPSF) had raised two battalions each comprising 760 personnel for exclusive deployment in Jammu and Kashmir to combat terrorism. Besides, the RPF will raise two battalions on its own for the state.

On the hijacking of a train by extremists in Jharkhand recently, Mr Suri said a group of Maoists intercepted the train in a forest area and threatened the engine driver to stop. However, they fled when the security personnel reached the spot in the early hours, he added.

UNI GSM GM VD ND1822