New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) In order to protect railway property, including tracks, in Maoist-affected areas, the government Tuesday decided to deploy additional forces and install CCTVs, said government sources.
The decision was taken at a meeting called by Home Secretary R.K. Singh and attended by Railway Board Chairman Vinay Mittal and police chiefs of West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand.
As many as 45 attacks took place on railway properties in 2010. This year, 23 attacks have taken place till Oct 15.
Sources said the railway officials were optimistic that the current ban on night operation of trains in Maoist-affected areas could be lifted if the security situation improved.
The meeting decided to strengthen Railway Protection Force in Maoist-affected areas which works jointly with state police forces to protect railway properties.
As part of the plan, dedicated officers will be put in designated places to coordinate security on inter-state borders of West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
Sources said the home ministry expressed concern over Maoist attacks on goods trains carrying coal and iron ore. This affected industrial activity in different parts of the country, they said.
