A strange thing has surfaced concerning the security scenario associated with Railways as reportedly an illegal consignment of banned polythene bags was found lying on a platform in Jammu Railway Station after being unloaded from Shree Shakti Express Train which reached the Temple City on Sunday morning.
This was not enough because upon inquiry, it was further revealed that the aforementioned consignment did not have an owner. This raises a big question mark on the status of security, as a significant consignment weighing about 50 quintals made its way inside the railway station and was loaded onto a prestigious train without being noticed by anyone. And that's not all, because the same consignment was dropped off at one of the most crucial train stations, Jammu, which has previously experienced multiple terror attacks. However, the security agencies stationed there appear to be lethargic, as this massive parcel passed through without the security personnel stationed there noticing anything. It was only a tip-off that led to the seizure and not the vigilance of those on duty.
Isn't it strange that a big consignment meant to go nowhere is being seized by the joint team of Jammu Municipal Corporation and Pollution Control Board by roping General Railway Police (GRP) and not by the security personnel manning the security of railway station. Whether the polythene bags are legal or illegal is a secondary issue but such delinquent security level at the sensitive and strategic Railway station raises many questions and those entities responsible should be asked to explain their stand as this is a big security lapse.
It is pertinent to mention that on receiving the information that approximately 50 quintals of banned polythene bags concealed in 166 boxes are being transported in Shree Shakti Express on way from Delhi towards Jammu, the teams of Pollution Control Board and Jammu Municipal Corporation got alert and took the necessary action, which further revealed the lacunae on part of security personnel as this lapse could give way to a tragedy if anti-nationals can misuse the situation.
Going by the sequence of events it becomes imperative that security audit of all the railway stations is a must on urgent basis or such carelessness can prove disastrous.
