Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan on Monday told Parliament that intelligence surveillance for railways has been stepped up as part of enhancing security of the trains, goods and passengers.

“The intelligence surveillance has been increased deploying plain cloth officers and forces in different spots of the railways, trains and railways stations to collect information in advance (intelligences),” he said, replying to a question from ruling Awami League lawmaker Mamunur Rashid Kiron (Noakhali-3).

The minister said the railway police are kept alert to prevent violence, extortion and sabotages in the railways, as well as to ensure security for railway passengers.

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He said special drives are conducted to check theft, robbery and activities of different criminal gangs like (Oggan Party and Malom party) on the trains.

In order to stop stone throwing to running trains by miscreants, public awareness was raised through beat policing and community policing meetings, he added.

Nurul Islam Sujan also focused on more few steps taken to ensure security for the railways and its passengers.

“Since the steps are being implemented, public security is being ensured in the railways and people can travel by trains comfortably,” he said.

Meanwhile, Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi told the House that the annual demand for textiles is some 7000 million meters in the country.

He stated this while replying to a question from Awami League MP Kazim Uddin Ahmed (Mymensingh-11).

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The minister said 100 percent of clothes required to fulfill the local demand is now being produced in the country. But the need to import textiles to export readymade garments and produce high valued goods is still there.