RPF toothless, amendments need of the hour to empower them: Manoj Sinha

Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha Wednesday pitched for more powers for the Railway Protection Force terming it a toothless organisation with Railway Minister Piyush Goyal saying a law in this regard is just a "technicality".

A bill to amend the Railway Act to empower RPF is awaiting clearance from Cabinet.

Speaking at a conference on security of railways, both Sinha and RPF Director General Arun Kumar pushed for handing over the registration, enquiry and detection of passenger-related crimes on board running trains to the railways' security force.

Currently, even if a crime is detected by the RPF, it has to hand over the case to the Government Railway Police for further enquiry.

"RPF is a toothless organisation. It is involved in security, but has no powers. Despite ability and efforts, the RPF has not got the powers it deserves. However, it is blamed for everything that happens on railway premises. But the reality is that other than taking care (of railway property), RPF ...