Drama atop Central station: Was it a security lapse?

Monday’s drama atop the Central Station came in the wake of a drive conducted by the Government Railway Police (GRP) to keep mentally-ill persons away from the station premises, a month ago.

The Government Railway Police conducted a drive on July 9, after 20-year-old Ansari of Arakkonam, who was said to be mentally-ill, allegedly entered the motorman’s cabin of a stationary Electric Multiple Unit at Moore Market Complex.

As many as 14 mentally-ill persons found wandering at the station were picked up during the drive and sent to rehabilitation centres.

However, Monday’s episode not only brought the issue to the fore, but also raised questions of security lapse ahead of Independence Day celebrations.

Apparently, surveillance cameras installed at the station - used by four lakh visitors every day - has come under critical scrutiny.

“Closed Circuit Television cameras (CCTV) are meant for preventing crimes. But, unfortunately the security apparatus is being used only as evidence during investigations, after the commissioning of crime,” an experienced motorman said.

Pointing out that the motorman, in whose cabin a mentally ill man entered this July has been suspended, the motorman said, “He (lunatic) had entered the cabin, despite the presence of security personnel and installation of CCTV cameras at vantage points.”

When contacted Accamma, Chief Public Relations Officer, Southern Railway, said that Monday’s incident could not be attributed to breach of security, as adequate security was available in the station.

On CCTV cameras, another officer with railway security stressed that the modern gadget has come in handy for nabbing several troublemakers.