DIG of Government Railway Police Bishwanath        Ojha, who chalked out the new plan to net train dacoits. Picture by Animesh Sengupta

Jamshedpur, March 30: The Government Railway Police will now play Sherlock Holmes on platforms. In a new strategy to stem the spurt in train robberies, the “sleuths” in khaki will now tail suspects on the platform instead of the boarding the train directly.

Instead of boarding the train directly, the escort squad would first monitor the suspects on the platforms and follow them into the train. GRP deputy inspector-general Bishwanath Ojha, who came for an inspection today, directed the superintendent of railway police to start working according to the new strategy. “We are concerned about the rising cases of train dacoities in this division of the railway. We have planned to adopt the new strategy. I have also directed the GRP to be patient in carrying out their operation while on train escort duty,” Ojha added.

“The escort team would mark suspects on the platform and follow their activities on the train also. Once they are confirmed, they would arrest the persons concerned,” Ojha said. According to him, the railway police are getting adequate support from the district police.

“The railway police alone cannot control crime. As it is necessary to take joint action we conduct raids quite frequently,” he said.

Ojha said he was satisfied with the work of the GRP here though more effort on their part could definitely help things. “I have gone through case records and have not come across any serious lapses on the part of the police here. Though there were a few lapses those could be settled,” Ojha added.

Admitting that there is shortage of manpower, Ojha, who was also scheduled to inspect the railway station and the police station, said escort squad could not be provided for every train as the number of trains has increased. “At best we can change duties of the escort squad,” he said.