Security loopholes make Ishwardi Junction unsafe

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :

Questions have been raised about the weakness of the security system at Ishwardi Junction Station. In three incidents, including the bombing of the International Maitri Express train, there was no loss of life and property, but the weakness in the security system has come to the fore. Railway Police and Railway Security Force are inadequately manned for security at the biggest junction station of Western Railway. The station’s CCTV camera is also damaged. That is why safe train travel is now questionable. Common commuters are in fear after petrol bombs were thrown on Maitri Express train, bombs were recovered from under the train at the station and railway lines were set on fire at the railway gate. No one has been arrested in these incidents yet.
However, security has been temporarily increased. Motor trolley patrols have been arranged to guard the railway line. Railway police and railway security forces are deployed along with plainclothes personnel on round-the-clock duty. Some Ansar members have also been deployed as guards. BGB members are patrolling occasionally.
About 40 trains run daily over Ishwardi Junction under Pakshi Divisional Railway. About 20 thousand passengers travel in these trains. There are huge railyards at the northern and southern ends of Ishwardi Junction. A large number of passenger and freight coaches are always kept in the railyard. Apart from imported goods from India, the railway yard is always busy due to loading and unloading of domestic goods. All these also need to strengthen the security system. Moreover, incidents of stone pelting on trains happen frequently. Passengers and railway workers are also getting injured. In the meantime, sabotage attempts at strike-blockade have increased panic among passengers and railway employees. Stakeholders have claimed that manpower needs to be increased to ensure safety in stations, railway lines and trains.
It is known that 17 CC cameras of the station are useless for a long time. As a result, it becomes difficult to identify criminals. Although a case has been registered in two cases, no one has been arrested. Station in-charge Superintendent (SS) Mohiul Islam said, we are also vigilant with the law enforcement agencies. To increase security, CCTV cameras need to be activated quickly and more new cameras should be installed.
Upazila Executive Officer Subir Kumar Das said BGB members are patrolling occasionally. UNO Subir Kumar Das expressed his anger because the CC camera was damaged. UNO told that it is unfortunate that there are no CC cameras at the country’s most important and largest junction station. If there were, criminals could be easily identified.
Ishwardi railway station extends to Abdulpur station on Parbatipur route, Haryana station on Rajshahi route, Dhallachar station on Pabna route, Majhgram station on Sirajganj route and Pakshi station on Khulna route. Apart from Ishwardi railyard, 4/5 trains have to be escorted by railway police. Inspector Harunuzzaman Rumel, who is in charge of OC of Railway Police Station, said that there are 50 sanctioned posts including officers and constables in this Police Station. Currently there are 45 people working. Due to the expansion of Railways, the sanctioned posts are increased to 60 and full-time recruitment is required.
Railway Security Force (RNB) Ishwardi circle extends to Lahiri Mohanpur station on Sirajganj route, Abdulpur station on Parbatipur route, Haryana station on Rajshahi route, Dhallachar station in Pabna and Pakshi station on Khulna route.