Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde today informed the state legislature that an armed guard will be posted in ladies compartments of the suburban trains round the clock while two additional companies of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) will be provided to the Railways.

Munde said, ``The government does not have adequate police force to post a police constable in each ladies compartment of each suburban train all the time. To find a way out, two SRPF companies will be provided and more lady constables employed. These constables will also be provided with arms.

Special counters will also be set up at all railway stations to help women lodge complaints,'' Munde said.

Munde's assurance came during a debate on an adjournment motion in the Council.

Commuter hit by stone

A female commuter was hit on the head by a stone while travelling by the Valsad-Bandra shuttle train between Vaitarna and Virar stations on Monday evening. Railway police said AshaJagtap (30), a resident of Kalyan, was sitting near the window and next to her husband. Just as the train passed Narangi gate crossing, a stone hit her on the back of her head, the police added. She got off at Virar station and was treated at Sanjeevani Hospital and discharged. Vasai railway police have registered a case under sections 152 of the Indian Railway Act and 337 of the Indian Penal Code.

Minister raids matka dens

Minister of State for Home Ramdas Kadam accompanied by police raided two Kalyan Matka centres near Worli naka and arrested their owner Suresh Bagat and six others this evening. During the raids Rs 2.75 lakh in cash was seized along with two plastic bags, foreign liquor, computer and others. Police said they suspect the two bags recovered contain narcotics, but it could only be confirmed after conducting tests.