Railways to install IES system in 100 stations

Itanagar, Nov 18 (UNI) The Indian Railways is considering installing an integrated electronic surveillance (IES) system and modern security gadgets in over 100 sensitive stations in the country, including the North East, to prevent terrorist attacks.

Union Minister of State for Railways R Velu, in a letter to BJP MP from Arunachal Kiren Rijiju, said efforts were on in various railway stations to thwart any offensive from terrorist organisations, official sources said here today.

The Minister informed that patrolling of vital installations and bridges has been intensified in vulnerable and sensitive areas and sharing of intelligence between RPF, GRPF and IB of the concerned states was also being given priority.

''Although policing is a state subject and prevention and detection of crime on the Railways is the constitutional responsibility of the state government concerned through GRPF, the RPF Act and the Railway Act have been amended to enable the Railways, through RPF, to supplement the efforts of the state governments in controlling crimes on the Railways,'' he said.

He said steps have also been taken for maintaining close liaison with state police and GRPF for taking preventive measures in the vulnerable areas to avert terrorist attacks.

Periodical meetings with the state administration of such states and police authorities were being regularly held by Railway administration to formulate effective joint strategy to combat the threat, the minister said.

The minister also agreed that all trains running to and from the Northeast should be given priority for security, the letter added.

UNI UPB DPM RD 1336