‘Stray incident, but we will up security’

On Tuesday, 22-year-old Arti Thakur was waiting near the booking office at platform No 1 of Goregaon railway station, when a man flung acid at her. Thakur is recuperating at a Goregaon hospital.

On Tuesday, 22-year-old Arti Thakur was waiting near the booking office at platform No 1 of Goregaon railway station, when a man flung acid at her. Thakur is recuperating at a Goregaon hospital.

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This incident has once again posed a question mark on the security of women travellers on the western railways. Comment. One such incident should not raise doubts about safety of women travellers. We will provide requisite assistance to the Government Railway Police in arresting the culprit and in identifying the provocation.

But hasn’t the incident highlighted lapse in policing at stations?

Several measures are being taken to make commuting safer for women. Every local train is manned by two constables at all hours, particularly the women’s compartments. We have helpline numbers for women to register their complaints with a woman constable. Several campaigns are being organised to create awareness among women.

The incident occurred during peak hours when railway stations are usually crowded. It is a stray incident and we do not know who is responsible. If there is any negligence on our part, those responsible will be brought to justice.

We will step up vigilance at railway stations and on local trains. We will deploy around 300 home guards, including women home guards to strengthen security across railway stations.