Siliguri, Dec. 14: The Government Railway Police (GRP) have rescued at least seven people who were drugged and robbed of their belongings inside trains in the past few days.

All the passengers were spotted and rescued by GRP men on duty at New Jalpaiguri Station.

The passengers were found in a near-unconscious state and spotted by GRP personnel inside trains which had moved into the station.

The barely conscious passengers were rescued from trains like Awadh-Assam Express, Danapur Express and Mahananda Express. GRP men on routine patrols found them lying uncounscious inside the train compartments. What is worrying the railway police is that gang members behind the recent incidents are still at large. Also alarming is the police’s belief that these criminals operate across a large area spanning West Bengal, Bihar and parts of Assam.

The officer-in-charge of New Jalpaiguri Station, GRP, Rinchen Lama, said: “In most of the cases, the passengers have fallen prey to members of organised criminal gangs who operate inside trains. The passengers spotted by us have been taken to hospitals for treatment. Taking advantage of passengers’ vulnerability, the gang members hoodwink them using food laced with sedatives. Once they are through with their job, they flee before the train enters the platform.”

“Gangs like these operate with impunity since it is difficult for us to trace them once a train approaches the platform. Generally, the gang members target passengers while a train leaves Guwahati or enters Bihar. The criminals usually comprise Assamese and Bihari youths. We are in close touch with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials in Kishangunj to help flush out members of these gangs,” Lama added.

Sources said these gangs usually targeted passengers of long-distance trains, taking advantage of the time factor. After their release from the hospitals, the rescued victims have told the police that they were offered food by strangers which they had accepted.

“We are trying to locate the hideouts gang members use to sustain their operations. We are also in touch with the police in Assam and Bihar to learn about other techniques which are being used by the gangs to hoodwink people,” said a senior GRP official in Siliguri.

The GRP is also planning to intensify checks inside trains at the station.

“Regular checks would ensure that the gang members do not get an opportunity to interact with passengers and fool them,” a GRP official said.