Issue passes to cops, Chandy tells Railways

KOCHI: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has ordered the Trivandrum Divisional Railway Manager Rajesh Agarwal to quickly provide train passes to the newly appointed railway police for duty on trains. The step will help increase the security of women on trains, he said. “Unless the Railways grant permission to these policemen, they cannot start their duty. So, speed up the process of granting them the passes,” the Chief Minister told officials here on Sunday.Earlier this month, the Kerala High Court had directed the state to file a detailed counter-affidavit regarding the steps taken for protection of women passengers on trains running in the state. Following this, at least 60 police officials were appointed by the DGP based on the state’s request. “We had sent the request to the Chennai headquarters. Now it has been forwarded to the Railway Board for its approval. Once, we get the nod, the passes will be given to the police officials,” railway officials said.