Instead of ensuring tight security for the lakhs of commuters, authorities at CST have reduced the number of door frame metal detectors at every entry point from three to one
Instead of ensuring tight security for the lakhs of commuters, authorities at CST have reduced the number of door frame metal detectors at every entry point from three to one
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Following the Mumbai terror attacks in the city, you'd expect adequate safety measures on prominent places like railways stations. However, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) where 58 people lost their lives in the mayhem of Mumbai has reduced equipment that could prove to be a deterrent to terrorists.
The authorities cite lack of manpower and inconvenience to passengers at the entrance as the reasons behind the move. Since the DFMDs were placed at the entrance of the station, earlier every passengers had to pass through them. Now, they can easily skip the only DFMD.
According to S C Parhi, divisional security commissioner, RPF, three DFMD weren't needed at the entrances and hence were removed about five days back. "We will only check passengers who are found behaving suspiciously within the station premises. They will be asked to pass through the metal detectors and thoroughly checked," said Parhi.
Dilip Mane, senior police inspector, CST GRP, echoed Parhi's views. "We will check only those passengers who behave suspiciously."
Commuters, however, deny that DFMDs caused them only inconvenience. Ashwin Jain, a daily commuter from Dombivli to CST, said, "The number of DFMDs does not make any difference. Even when there were three DFMDs, the police barely paid attention to commuters passing through the frames. Even when it made a sound, I rarely saw a policeman checking the commuters' baggage. What will unarmed security personnel do if someone enters with a gun?"
26/11 recap
The CST was one of the prime targets during the 26/11 terror attacks. Mohammad Ajmal Qasab, the lone surviving terrorist of the militant attacks, and his partner Abu Ismail gunned down 58 people at the station on the fateful day. Since then, the government has increased security at the station and even installed CCTV cameras at various places.
Apart from being a prominent railway station that used by lakhs of commuters every day, it also houses the headquarters of Central Railway.
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