Suresh Prabhu seeks more powers for Railway Protection Force, states oppose him

NEW DELHI: Railway minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday made a strong pitch for empowering Railway Protection Force (RPF) by handing over charge of criminal investigation of crimes on trains and on stations to the central force, which is presently handled by Government Railway Police (GRP), controlled by the state governments.

However, many states are opposed to the move arguing it is as infringement on their rights.

Addressing the conference of state police chiefs, Prabhu said the existing three-tier system of policing—RPF, GRP and district police is not only expensive but also has avoidable redundancies.

The minister said no other country in the world has so many government security and policing organizations to protect their railways system, but popular public perception seems to indicate that all is not well.

“They (passengers) fail to understand why RPF can’t register FIR when it is responsible for their protection,” he said.

Prabhu added, “While the world is moving towards so called ‘single window system’, it appears illogical to have two police forces working almost parallel to each other for similar cause.” To ensure better policing of railway premises, railways have proposed amendment to the RPF Act, 1957, to empower the force to lodge FIRs for crimes committed at railway stations and on trains.

“It may be wise to move towards a two-tier system by empowering RPF to deal with passenger related offences, so as to provide a seamless security apparatus across India,” he said.

Prabhu said, “Law and order is a state subject … That is why I have written to all chief ministers seeking their consent. We need an amendment to the law to lodge FIR on running trains.” At the function, home minister Rajnath Singh said, “Law and order is primarily the (individual) states’ responsibility.

Complaints can be registered online and they can be referred to the state concerned for investigations to be expedited.” Singh said that “there is no turf war between RPF and GRP. (But) some complexities are there which need to be looked into it.” The move is strongly opposed by the powerful IPS lobby. A railway official said, “The powerful IPS lobby is against the move to abolish GRP. The GRP has become resting ground for police officials where they enjoy authority without responsibility.”