Crime agaianst Women in trains increasing

Crime against women on the rise in trains

New Delhi, Mar 18 (TruthDive): In spite of Indian Railways claiming enhanced security for women passengers, crime against women like rape, molestation and eve-teasing are reportedly on the rise in moving trains when compared to the previous year.

According to Railway statistics, a total of 210 cases were filed in 2012 while 127 cases were reported in 2011 and 85 cases in 2010. Molestation cases were on an increase from 52 in 2010 to 72 in 2011 and 119 in 2012.

Similarly rape cases also went high from 3 in 2011 to 7 in 2012. There were more incidences  of molestation cases in Southern Railway when compared to Western Central Railway.

According to a senior Railway Ministry official, the Railways have taken enhanced steps to protect women passengers by deploying Railway Protection Force and ladies’ special trains are also being escorted by lady RPF staff.

In the zonal control rooms, security helpline numbers were set up to help passengers to inform about any untoward incident. The helpline numbers are provided at major places of stations including the coaches.

Apart from this, regular checking is also done in ladies’ compartments to prevent entry of male passengers and if found, legal action is taken under the provisions of the Railways Act, said the railway official.

Eve-teasing cases are most commonly reported in moving trains in South Zone and 170 people were arrested for the crime in 2012.  The railway Ministry though ensured to protect women in the train, increasing number of crimes against women is causing worries on the quality of governance.

The sudden turn down in the security of women by the Indian Railway has become a mere concern even though the Railways Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel are deployed in the trains.

With number of crime against women shooting up day by day, there is a need for strict vigil to ensure safety of women travelling by trains.