Tangla Railway Stations Lack Proper Security Measures

A Correspondent

TANGLA: Railway security forces are yet to wake up from their deep slumber even after the recent IED blast in Kamakhya-Dekargaon (No. 15815) near Harisinga Railway Station in Udalguri district. The busiest railway stations, besides Rangia and Kamakhya in Kamakhya-Dekargaon route, are Tangla and Rangapara railway stations. Hundreds of commuters travel on a daily basis.

To make matters worse, several unmanned entrances across the railway stations in the Kamakhya-Dekargaon route have belied the tall claims of the railway authorities vis-a-vis security of the passengers. The Tangla railway station lacks basic safety equipment like CCTV camera and metal detectors or X-ray machines. According to Tangla railway station officials, approximately 14 trains carrying about 5,000-6,000 passengers arrive or depart from Tangla railway station on a regular basis. In the absence of proper safety measures, the station is bound to be vulnerable to attacks.

In-charge GRP, Tangla Investigation Centre, Hassanur Zaman Ahmed said, “We have repeatedly requested for safety equipment like CCTV in the stations in the route but the authorities have not been responsive.” He further stated that Tangla GRP had jurisdiction ranging from Khoirabari, Tangla, Harisinga, Udalguri and Rowta to Mazbat with only seven constables. As per information, only one Railway Protection Force personnel guards the Harisinga Railway Station where the blast was reported.

“The blast has exposed the loopholes of the Railways to secure the life of the passengers. The Railways, despite generating huge revenue, has miserably failed in adopting security measures. Safety must take precedence over aesthetics,” said a leading citizen of Tangla town.

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