Jajpur/Bhadrak: Suspecting a major racket behind loots in trains, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials launched a crackdown and arrested one person while his accomplice involved in two theft incidents Sunday managed to give a slip.
As per reports, the first loot was carried out in an AC coach of the Howrah-Chennai Mail Express Monday.
RPF officials swung into action after some passengers alleged that their mobile phones and cash were found stolen. After a frantic search, police recovered a stolen mobile from an unclaimed purse in the train along with some cash.
By evening, the RPF arrested one of the two thieves while they were attempting to take away the travel bag of a passenger at night in the crowded general coach of the East Coast Express.
Police noted that both the incidents happened between Jajpur and Bhadrak stations and that the two men were involved in both the thefts.
Meanwhile, railway police launched a manhunt and intensified search operations to arrest men involved in all recent cases of theft in trains.
AK Singh, Jajpur Road RPF inspector said, “Yesterday morning, we received a message that a few mobiles were missing from the B1 coach of the Howrah-Chennai Mail. When the train arrived, we carried out a search in the train. A vanity bag was recovered with a stolen mobile phone and Rs 5,730 in cash. Later, we handed over the belongings to the one who lost them.”
“In the evening, one of our RPF personnel managed to nab a thief while he was trying to take away a passenger’s bag.”
On the passenger safety measures implemented by the RPF, Singh said, “Efforts are on to reduce criminal activities on trains and platforms. RPF staff have been deployed at stations between Bhadrak and Cuttack. Night special checking is conducted by the staff alongside the patrolling at frequent intervals.”