Tilak Nagar cops demand beat chowky outside LTT in Mumbai

The officers have written to the railways about this, but their demands have been turned down and they said the railways claimed land belongs to them and cannot be used to set up a police chowky

It’s been three years since the Tilak Nagar police station have been demanding a beat chowky outside Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) to tighten the security on the station premises.

The officers have written to the railways about this, but their demands have been turned down and they said the railways claimed land belongs to them and cannot be used to set up a police chowky.

Emphasising on the need of the chowky at the spot, deputy commissioner of police and Mumbai police spokesperson Dhananjay Kulkarni said, “If a beat chowky is set up near the terminus, people will think twice before committing crimes and passengers will be safe.”

An officer from Tilak Nagar police station said, “If the land belongs to the railway department, then the Railway Police Force (RPF) should be taking responsibility for the crimes taking place near the terminus. But each time there is a serious crime, we are asked to deal with it.”

The officers added that several crimes, including the kidnapping and murder of Easter Anuhya in 2014 and the rape of a 16-year-old girl from Bengal last year, could have been avoided if there was a chowky.

Assistant commissioner of police Bhagwat Sonawane said, “Two officers and eight constables were appointed to keep an eye on the terminus. They faced a lot of health problems as they had to remain outdoors all the time in the absence of a chowky.”

If we get a place to ourselves, we can keep the documents related to the crimes that take place near LTT, along with the photos of the criminals,” said an officer.

Senior divisional security commissioner, CR, Sachin Bhalode said he was unaware of latest development but will look into the matter.