Railway passengers may be able to file online FIR if they face harassment

Asserting that jurisdiction issues, at times, cause harassment to people, Home Minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday asked the railway ministry to start a facility by which passengers can file FIRs online.

“There is no facility for a passenger to file an FIR online. If somebody is travelling by train (and something happens), he need to visit Government Railway Police (GRP) police station to get an FIR registered. It will then go to the state, to the district and eventually to the police station concerned. There is no guarantee that he would get the desired justice,” the minister said.

“You (Railway Ministry official) need to discuss and decide on this (online FIR). We will provide all possible support from the Ministry of Home Affairs,” he said, citing the ‘crime and criminal tracking network and system or CCTNS’ for the integration of state police work implemented by his ministry.

In a veiled remark, Rajnath Singh asked the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel to be sensitive and friendly with people.

“It is expected from all police personnel. Be it central or state police force, all police force personnel should have friendly behaviour with common people. We have been telling these to them,” the home minister said at the All India Conference on Railway Security here.
Singh said there was a need to change the way people’s luggage are frisked at railway stations or inside moving trains.

“There is a provision for frisking of passenger luggage at railway stations. There luggage are also frisked inside moving trains. Passengers feel humiliated by this. So, how can this be improved? That need to be discussed,” he said.

“There has to be regular patrolling in trains. At times, it has been observed that it does not take place. So how to make RPF’s presence felt? You need to discuss it,” Singh said at the programme attended by senior railway ministry officers.

“The railway has a huge network. Trains passes through Naxal-(affected) areas. There may be a fear of terrorist attack. There should be a theatre-specific SOPs to guide police personnel on how to act in a specific situation,” he said.

 

Abha Boyal

Abha has taste of years in journalism and writing. She is known to elaborate her findings in a vibrant way. With writing as her incredible skill, Abha also enjoys exploring new places. She stays focused on whatever she does and this makes her an all rounder.

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