Attack could have been prevented with policeman guarding coach

The presence of policemen outside women’s coaches on railway platforms would have helped avert the attack on 24-yearold US national Michelle Mark when an unidentified attacker entered the first-class coach after spotting Mark travelling alone.

The presence of policemen outside women’s coaches on railway platforms would have helped avert the attack on 24-year old US national Michelle Mark when an unidentified attacker entered the first-class coach after spotting Mark travelling alone.

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GRP officials said they had recently asked for immediate allotment of at least 1,000 personnel for covering up the lacunae but in vain.

Officials said that apart from deploying policemen in second class women’s coaches, they also planned to secure strategic spots on platforms as, on most occasions, attackers enter or exit the train while it is moving.

“Since the problem lies with the accused managing to flee after committing crimes on board moving trains, the presence of personnel outside ladies coaches would help plug the problem,” said a GRP officer.

Following the attack on Haryana native Preeti Rathi at Bandra Terminus, the GRP formed a commando team that would constantly be on the move from station to station to keep vigil. These steps, however, have failed to curb attacks on women.

The GRP is also falling short of personnel to cover all three second-class coaches, with no apparatus to secure the first-class ladies coaches.