Security for trains, tracks, railway station
at Mendipathar railway station in
North Garo Hills on Saturday. (UB)
SHILLONG: With the presence of large number of militant groups in Garo Hills, the State Police will have its hands full in keeping the Mendipathar railway station and the tracks secure.
The Indian Railways has finally entered Mendipathar, a militant-infested area and the North Garo Hills police would have to work hand in hand with the Railway Police Force to ensure safety of the trains that would ply along the route.
The security will have to be tightened since the train from Guwahati will arrive at Mendipathar at 10 pm daily after leaving Guwahati at 6:10 pm.
Additional measures would have to be put in place for the safety of those passengers who have to travel beyond Mendipathar in the night hours.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, North Garo Hills SP J.F.K. Marak said that the district police would assist the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in ensuring round the clock security for the train as well as the railway station at Mendipathar.
Earlier, during the construction of the project, suspected Rabha militants had abducted the manager of a firm working on the rail project in Mendipathar. Besides, in June last year armed miscreants had abducted a railway project supervisor, J. Narayan Rai, who was working at a site between Tilapara and Bakenang villages.
During the flag-off ceremony of the first Mendipathar-Guwahati passenger train on Saturday, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had sought the cooperation of the Union Government for the safety and security of the railway in Garo Hills.