Don't travel in Railway coaches for the handicapped, policemen warned

After the Western Railway authorities caught 121 personnel of the Mumbai police for travelling in coaches of local trains reserved for physically disabled commuters in 2012, the city police recently issued a circular warning policemen not to travel in these coaches.

In a circular issued last month (a copy of which is with dna), Hemant Nagrale, joint commissioner of police (administration) of Mumbai police, stated, “We have received several complaints against our staff for travelling in coaches for the handicapped. Recently, the Western Railway forwarded a list of 121 police personnel, including our officers and ministerial staff, to the office of the commissioner of police so stern action can be taken against them.”

Rajendra Rupanavar, senior divisional security commissioner, railway protection force (RPF), Western Railway, said, “We had written three letters in this regard in 2012 to the Mumbai police commissioner. On several occasions, scuffles and quarrels had taken place between handicapped commuters and the cops travelling in their coaches, creating a law and order problem on railway premises.”

Despite being warned, it was observed that several police personnel have been travelling in the handicapped coaches, he said, adding that such behaviour could tarnish the image of Mumbai police in the minds of common man. Henceforth, if any personnel or staffers are found travelling in these coaches, the department will take stern action against them, the circular warns.

Jeetubhai Karelia, president of the Disability Advocacy Group of India, a handicapped commuters’ association in Mumbai, said, “The Mumbai police have taken a good decision. We have been following this burning issue with the city police for the past three years. Now, the RPF should take stringent action against the city cops or staffers travelling in coach for the handicapped.”

Strict action against defaulters

 
Despite being warned, it was observed that several police personnel have been travelling in the handicapped coaches.

Henceforth, if any personnel or staffers are found travelling in these coaches, the department will take stern action against them, the circular warns.

Source : DNA , 3rd June 2013