269 drugging cases reported in trains till October 2016

269 cases of drugging of train passengers were reported till October 2016, according to Railway Protection Force (RPF) data.
There were 380 drugging cases reported in 2015 while 269 cases were reported upto October 2016 across the country, according to the data.
The modus operandi is to offer food like biscuits or tea laced with sedatives to unsuspecting passengers and then loot their belongings in trains
In Northern Railway, 52 such drugging cases are reported in 2015 and 47 cases in 2016, said Chief Security Commissioner Sanjay Kishore.
He said generally east bound trains are the target of drugging gangs in the zone and some trans and stations have been identified as most vulnerable for drugging menace.

"The trains going towards eastern states like Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal are targeted by these unscrupulous elements," he said and added "Some trains like Punjab Mail, Amrapali Express have been identified as vulnerable trains and stations, and special attention is being paid to these areas to avoid recurrence of such cases."
RPF has undertaken a constant awareness campaign to educate passengers about the drugging menace through posters and pamphlets. Regular announcements at stations have also been made to alert passengers.