Nagpur: Families, especially the elderly members, staying in the railway quarters located in different areas of the city face awkward moments as teenaged couple indulge in public display of affection in the vicinity in broad daylight. And after sunset, anti-social elements rule the roost in these localities that are devoid of any surveillance.
It's a security concern for the railway staff living in the quarters at Bellyshop in Motibagh, Mount Road, Punjabi Line, Ajni railway quarters and similar places. Anti-social elements gamble, consume liquor in the open, and even use desolate spots in these residential areas for concealing arms and weapons, said sources in the railways.
Sources said the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel are turning a blind eye to security at the railway quarters. Instead, they are trying to shift the responsibility to the city police who are already struggling with manpower shortage, said the sources. However, a senior police officer claimed that routine patrolling is carried out in the quarters.
According to a railway source, the garden behind the quarters of the divisional regional manager (DRM) on Mount Road in Sadar is frequented by young lovers by day and anti-social elements by night. "Surprisingly, this is happening close to the official residence of the RPF commandant," said the sources.
A railway employee claimed that criminal activities like gambling and narcotics consumption have become rampant at the Punjabi Line railway quarters premises. "One can easily spot people consuming liquor and ganja in the evening while crossing the bridge on the nullah. Similar scene can be seen near the training school at the Punjabi Line, the pump house and the abandoned quarters," said the source.
"The open ground near the Motibagh stadium turns into a hub of activities including liquor parties, birthday celebrations, bursting crackers at midnight, and also brawls and fights. There is no fear of law among the mischief mongers, while the railway employees and their families live in fear," said a source from Motibagh railway quarters.
Incidentally, Motibagh railway quarters is close to the Motibagh RPF thana, but the personnel are not known to be concerned about the safety and security of the railway employees staying at the quarters, said sources.