Maoist bandh: GRP, RPF put on high alert

PATNA: The Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) have launched an intensified night surveillance at Patna Junction and other major stations under Danapur division in view of two-day Maoist bandh in protest against killing of one of their leaders in Andhra Pradesh allegedly in a police encounter. The bandh began on Tuesday midnight.

Both the GRP and RPF have been put on high alert since Tuesday night following a tip-off from the Union home ministry about possible attacks on railway property by the rebels. The railways has already suspended night services of a few passenger trains passing through Maoists-affected areas till Thursday.

The railways has set up quick action team (QAT) at all vulnerable stations, particularly on Patna-Gaya, Jhajha-Jamui, Kuil-Gaya, Gaya-Sasaram and Gaya-Dhanbad routes. The striking reserved forces, mainly comprising Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF), have been deployed at all such Naxal-affected stations, sources said.

RPF personnel have been monitoring other CCTV cameras installed at Patna Junction to keep a tab on movement of passengers and maintain a close watch on possible suspects. RPF personnel have been deployed in adequate numbers at each foot overbridge at Patna Junction and other sensitive stations, sources said.

All mail and express trains passing through Patna Junction have been put under a thorough scanner by the armed railway forces. Armed forces stand guard at each vital installation at Patna Junction and other vulnerable places under ECR. The railway tracks and bridges have also been put under strict vigil, said an ECR security official.

According to Bihar ADG P K Thakur, the state government has made proper deployment of armed forces at vulnerable places across the state to deal with any situation effectively. Both the GRP and local police are on maximum alert, he said.

According to sources, additional armed forces have been put on surveillance duty round-the-clock to keep a close watch on the activities of the suspects. The GRP DSPs and SHOs have been asked to personally supervise night surveillance duty being carried out by escort party in mail and express trains, sources said.

Besides, RPF and RPSF personnel have been continuing search operation at Patna Junction round-the-clock. Suspects are being thoroughly checked either while boarding the trains or getting down from trains. Hand metal detectors are being used to ensure foolproof safety measures at stations. Sniffers are also being pressed into service in all premier trains. Over 200 mail and express trains are being escorted by both the RPF and RPSF personnel during day and night under ECR, an ECR official said.