Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network—Kasargod (RD)

Kasargod, Mar 6: In the wake of attempts at trying to to blow up train tracks on Southern Railway (SR) in the district, a special force has been deployed drawn from Railway Protection Force (RPF) and district police to ensure around-the-clock safety along the train tracks.

The special force will cover the 90 km stretch of train tracks from Manjeshwar to Payyanur every day.  Two divisions of a special force have been stationed at Kasargod and Hosdurg.

The special force will inspect train tracks, bridges, and railway stations through mobile patrolling and walking throughout the day and night.  A team of 10 personnel have been formed to inspect 8 km stretches of tracks each in order to cover the 90 km from Manjeshwar to Payyanur.

Kasargod and Hosdurg ASP and RPF officers of Kannur–Mangalore will oversee the operations of the special force.  It’s the first time in the country that such patrol services are being introduced in the railways.  Meanwhile, there are plans to extend similar services in other districts across the state.

The district police has taken up the issue of explosives stuffed in pipes that was detected on the train track near Chervattoor railway station on Saturday March 3. There have been several attempts to derail trains between Manjeshwar and Uppala in the past. These incidences led the police to form a special force in this regard.