Hyderabad: The Government Railway Police (GRP) authorities are planning to keep surveillance on the movements of thieves and burglars, who were earlier arrested and jailed but are committing offences after being released.
Based on instructions from senior GRP officials, the staff have already got onto the field to identify remand prisoners in jail and those who have been released on bail.
According to available information, in the last five years, 149 chain snatchers and 694 people have been arrested under the Secunderabad District for theft and robbery. Some are in jail, while others have been released on bail, making it difficult for the police to track their movements.
There are 12 railway police stations and 17 outposts in the Secunderabad District. Recently, passengers’ cell phones and luggage have been disappearing from trains which has been concerning railway officials. There have been frequent incidents of people entering the coaches and stealing valuables too.
A high percentage of theft cases are being registered at Secunderabad, Kacheguda, Hyderabad (Nampally) and Cherlapalli railway stations.
“Hundreds of trains and lakhs of passengers travel daily. Taking advantage of such a rush, thieves are showing off their skills by taking advantage of the carelessness of passengers.
They are making off with cash and jewellery and disappearing in a matter of seconds,” said a railway official.
There has been an increase in incidents where passengers are robbed of their jewellery while they are fast asleep during the midnight and early morning hours.
Meanwhile, it is reported that due to shortage of staff, identifying and arresting the suspects has become a challenge.