<b>Mumbai Blasts</b>: Addl forces for rail security

The Maharashtra government will make 800 additional policemen and 1,000 Home Guard personnel available to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to beef up security in trains and railway stations in the wake of Tuesday's serial blasts.

This was announced by Chief Secretary D K Sankaran at a press conference at the Mantralaya after a meeting of senior state government, police and railway officials to review railway security.

"The deployment (of the additional personnel) will come into effect within the next two days," Sankaran said.

While the re-dployment of dog squads at railway stations will be increased, metal detectors and explosive detection equipment will be provided to the Railway Police to help avert such attacks, he said.

Long-term measures to step up security include controlled access at entrances and exits of railway stations and the installation of X-ray machines and CCTVs at stations, he said.

Maharashtra police chief P S Pasricha, who was also present, said the help of commuters will also be taken to maintain security.

The railways will set up a committee to take up all technical issues pertaining to security, Sankaran said.

Railway Protection Force Director General P K Suri said efforts will be made for better co-ordination between the state police and RPF.