Health security of security personnel is at stake!

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, May 29: The security, to precise the health security, of a section of security personnel has been at stake at Guwahati Railway Station – the biggest railway station in the Northeast.

These ill-fated security personnel are some 73 personnel of the Assam Police deployed for security duty at the Guwahati Railway Station. They are called as Government Railway Police (GRP). The GRP personnel at the railway station have been given a barrack that looks like a dilapidated cow shed. Water makes it to the barrack from the roof when it rains. The walls of the barrack are dappled with cracks and craters here and there, giving the building the look of, what is commonly called, ‘bhot bungalow’ (the abode of ghosts).

The surroundings of the barrack are even more hazardous. As though to cap it all, a stinking open drain flows in front of the barrack, posing a threat to their health. So much so that a section of the GRP personnel likes to stay in rented houses because of health hazards. Living in an inhumane condition they continue to render their services.          

The situation for them is no better in the office either. Theirs is a very congested two-room office on the ground floor. While one of the rooms is for the officer-in-charge, the other room is for other staff members who have to bear the brunt of the hazardous situation there. Water from bathrooms and latrines keeps leaking from the floor above. The office does not have enough space to keep office files properly, let alone proper sitting arrangements for the staff members.

The condition of the GRP lock-up is even worse. It does not have any provision for toilets and latrines. The grill of the lock-up is out of order. When an accused wants to go to the toilet or latrine, he/she has to be taken out of the lock-up. This practice puts the personnel in a situation that is not free from risk, as anything may happen.

Talking to The Sentinel, the OC of the GRP station at the railway station, Pradip Kumar Talukdar, said: “There has been some sort of lack of coordition between Dispur and NF Railway. We’re employees under the Government of Assam staying at a property of NF Railway. Dispur can’t do anything to rescue us from the current plight we have been in even if it wants. Everything lies with NF Railway. We approached the authorities of NF Railway many time in this regard, but to little avail. We have been given a company of CRPF personnel to help us in duty. Their plight is no better either.”