Police, railway authorities discuss anti-Maoist strategy

KOLKATA - Police officials of three states and Eastern Railway authorities Wednesday held a high level co-ordination meeting here to formulate a joint strategy to combat attacks by Maoists on trains.

The meeting deliberated upon ways to fight increased terrorist activities in the three states of Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, an Eastern Railway release said.

Implementation of a seven-point joint resolution taken during a meeting between the railway board and home secretaries of various states earlier this year was discussed.

The meeting also dwelt on a joint strategy to visit the affected site in case of an explosion or sabotage of railway tracks carried out by Maoists especially at night.

“A joint strategy for relief, rescue and early restoration was discussed and modalities hammered out. Escorting trains in inter-state border areas, means to combat offence of drugging in trains and at stations was also deliberated upon,” the statement said.

Measures to improve passenger’s security in the city’s Metro Railway, modernisation of forces with state-of-the-art security gadgets and surveillance as well as access control equipment were also discussed in the meeting.

Among those present at the meeting were Eastern Railway General Manager V.N. Tripathi, West Bengal Additional Director General of Police (Railways) Dilip Mitra, Jharkhand Additional Director General of Police (Railways) Kumud Chowdhury, Bihar Additional Inspector General of Police S.K. Bharadaj and Additional Commissioner of Police (city) K. Harirajan, besides senior Railway Protection Force officers.