Cops on toes ahead of December 6

CHENNAI: The Railway Protection Force along with the Government Railway Police have beefed up security in both Central and Egmore railway stations ahead of December 6- Babri Masjid Demolition day.Following directions from SR Ganthi, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner, RPF, Chennai division, a team of 40 RPF personnel including bomb detection squad and dog squad conducted anti-sabotage check in four trains.Luggage in four trains —Mangalore Express, Shatabdi Express, Jaipur Express and Charminar Express— was checked with more importance given to unclaimed baggage. A similar check was conducted on the  Anantapuri Express and Pearl City Express in Egmore. “We decide on the spot to check trains,” said an RPF security official.Metal detectors have been installed in all the entry points of the stations. “They are door frame metal detectors. If a person has a bomb hidden in his shoes, once he steps in to the detector, the light below his shoe will glow. It can detect metal anywhere in the body,” said the official.Police sources said that both GRP and RPF held a special meeting with stall vendors, porters and cleaning staff to inform them about suspicious movements and unclaimed baggage in the stations. Railway staff have also been instructed the same; police sources added.Apart from vehicle checks near the entrance of the stations, passengers were also frisked and their luggage stamped and stickers pasted on them before keeping it in the cloakroom.The items kept in parcel had to be declared as security officials and police verify name and address before booking. The dog squad and bomb squads conducted periodic checks in the stations and sand bag bunkers have been placed with an armed personnel-keeping vigil through day and night. “We also have RPF personnel in plainclothes mingling with passengers and visitors. Apart from this extra force will be deployed from Monday,” added the official.