RPF rescues 591 children, 22 trafficking victims in nine months

Maligaon, October 14 (MExN): The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) rescued 591 children and 22 trafficking victims from trains and railway premises between January and September this year, an official NFR update stated on Wednesday.Of the 591 children rescued under Operation ‘Nanhe Farishtey’, 387 were boys and 204 were girls. They were found to be runaways, left behind, destitute or missing, according to an NFR statement.During the same period, the RPF rescued 22 trafficking victims, including 13 minors — eight boys and five girls — and nine women, while apprehending 10 alleged traffickers.The force has also stepped up measures to ensure passenger security, with particular emphasis on the safety and dignity of women travelling alone, through preventive measures, onboard security and prompt grievance redressal.Under the ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative, dedicated teams have been deployed at 22 major stations across NFR to interact with women passengers, particularly those travelling alone, provide assistance and help make their journeys safer and more comfortable.RPF personnel escort an average of 45 trains daily across NFR, including 13 Mail and Express trains covered by mixed escort teams comprising male and female personnel.To prevent unauthorised entry into ladies’ compartments, the force regularly conducts special drives against male passengers violating railway rules. Between January and September 2026, 2,466 persons were apprehended and prosecuted under Section 162 of the Railways Act.Further, between June 19 and September 30, 219 persons were apprehended and penalties amounting to approximately Rs 4.9 lakh were realised under the Jan Vishwas Act, the statement said.Under Operation ‘Matrishakti’, which focuses on assisting pregnant passengers requiring help during childbirth, RPF personnel, particularly women officials, assisted in two childbirth cases on railway premises during the current year.Awareness videos on railway safety and assistance available to women passengers are also regularly shared through the social media handles of RPF/NFR and the official platforms of NFR.In another initiative, the force has used the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal to trace lost or stolen mobile phones. A total of 2,437 phones have been traced, of which 352 were recovered, while 21 criminals were arrested in connection with these cases.The RPF also apprehended and prosecuted 1,023 persons under Section 145 of the Railways Act for nuisance and disorderly conduct on railway premises during the first nine months of 2026.During September, the force received passenger grievances through the Rail Madad platform relating to 321 cases of luggage left behind, 52 cases of passenger nuisance, seven complaints of misbehaviour with women passengers, 126 cases involving missing or non-responsive passengers, and 27 cases concerning unauthorised persons in ladies’, disabled or reserved coaches.RPF personnel responded to the complaints and resolved the reported issues, the statement said.Between January and September, the force registered 434 cases of theft of passenger belongings. Of these, 241 cases were detected, leading to the arrest of 315 criminals.