‘No bag checks without valid reason’: Mumbai GRP chief assures traders

Mumbai GRP Commissioner M Rakesh Kalasagar at a programme organised by Bharat Merchants on Saturday. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Mumbai Government Railway Police (GRP) will not check traders' bags at railway stations without a valid reason, Mumbai GRP Commissioner M Rakesh Kalasagar assured textile traders at a programme organised by Bharat Merchants on Saturday.

According to a note issued by the Bharat Merchants Chamber, Kalasagar said traders' bags would not be checked without valid reason.

"If any trader faces a problem, they can contact me, and I shall look into it personally," he added.

The assurance came after chamber president Manoj Jalan, in his welcome address, alleged that traders travelling from railway stations served by Mail and Express trains were repeatedly asked to open their bags in the name of security checks.

"Traders are repeatedly asked to open their bags at railway stations in the name of checking. When cash is found, there are demands for money," Jalan alleged.

He also called for baggage scanners at these stations to reduce the need for manual searches. Responding to the demand, Kalasagar said he had requested the Railways to provide scanners so that bags would not need to be opened for physical inspection.

"Even now, instructions have been issued that bag checks should be conducted only when absolutely necessary and in front of cameras," the commissioner said.

Chamber trustee and Zonal Railway Users' Consultative Committee (ZRUCC) member Rajiv Singal described the Mumbai-Ahmedabad belt as a major economic corridor. He claimed that the belt accounts for 80 per cent of the country's textile and jewellery trade.

"The Mumbai-Ahmedabad belt is the country's economic corridor, where 80 per cent of the country's textile and jewellery trade takes place. Traders should not be harassed in the name of security or baggage checks," Singal said.

4,500-strong force, 8,000 CCTV cameras

Kalasagar said the Mumbai GRP has around 4,500 personnel, with some deployed for security on 37 Mail and Express trains.

He also said the GRP works with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to monitor railway security through a network of around 8,000 CCTV cameras.

"Whenever young children and women are found unattended on railway platforms, we trace their families and hand them over to their relatives," Kalasagar said. He urged traders and passengers facing difficulties to contact the GRP control room on 1512.

"Whenever a complaint comes through this number, I also take feedback on it. My doors are always open to everyone," he added.

Kalasagar also urged passengers not to carry sharp or pointed objects that could cause injuries.

"Passengers should avoid carrying sharp or pointed objects, as these can lead to accidents. Two incidents involving such objects have occurred recently," he said.

The programme was attended by chamber vice-president Vinod Gupta, minister Naveen Bagaria, Nilesh Vaishya, treasurer Ajay Singhania, trustees Yogendra Rajpuria and Shriprakash Kedia, and several others.