Mumbai: CR to warn of ‘fatka’ thieves on rail tracks – Times of India

Mumbai: Passengers travelling on suburban locals will now be cautioned with the pre-recorded audio message in the compartment about the presence of fatka gang members as the train is about cross spots where the crime is most likely to happen.
Fatka thieves sit on railway poles and hit commuters on trains, knocking down their phones and other valuables.
Central Railway’s chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar said, “We have identified such vulnerable spots across main, harbour and trans-harbour line.. The announcements will be made to caution commuters standing close to the door.” The announcements are done in Marathi, Hindi and English.
CR’s Railway Protection Force has undertaken counselling session of passengers in trains besides making announcements at the stations.
Also, door-to-door awareness campaign has been undertaken by cops in slum pockets about the dangers of targeting commuters in running trains as it can cause death and serious injury.
CR’s divisional security commissioner Jitendra Srivastava said, “We thought of relaying message in compartment just ahead of train entering the vulnerable locat––ion as timely warning can help prevent the crime.” ––Manthan K Mehta