Drugging in trains: Railways writes to Drug Controller General

In a letter to the drug controlling authority, RPF has raised the issue of increasing drugging of passengers on board trains and mentioned that several arrested criminals had conceded to using low-cost sedatives, bought from chemists without producing any prescription, to drug and rob travellers.

According to a senior Northern Railway official, 51 such cases were reported during the last six months in Northern Railway alone, while 265 cases of drugging and loot were registered in 2011 and 122 in 2010.

"We have arrested 62 people involved in drugging cases in the last six months," the official, who is part of the anti- drugging squad, said, adding that 133 people were arrested last year.

He said the highest number of such cases are reported from trains bound for eastern states like Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal.

RPF has identified vulnerable trains and stations, and special attention is being paid to these areas to avoid recurrence of such cases.

"We have undertaken a constant awareness campaign to educate passengers about the drugging menace through posters and pamphlets. We also make regular announcements at stations to alert passengers," the official said.

Admitting the drugging problem was "acute", the official said anti-drugging squads have been specifically formed to detect and prevent such crimes in railway premises. (More)