TC Web Desk
In 2021, Railway Protection Force (RPF) saved 601 lives under Mission Jeewan Raksha. In the last four years, the RPF personnel have saved 1,650 lives from the wheels of the running trains at railway stations under this mission. According to the official statement from the Ministry of Railways, the force escorted 522 oxygen special trains during the Covid-19 pandemic, rescued 630 persons from human traffickers, retrieved left behind luggage worth Rs.23 crore of 12,377 passengers under Operation Amanat, acted against touts, registered over 4,100 cases, arrested 4,600-plus offenders, forfeited railway tickets worth Rs 2.8 crore, and deployed 244 Meri Saheli teams at major railway stations.
The RPF has the responsibility of security of railway property, passenger area and passengers. It has been working round-the-clock for the safety, security and comfort of passengers.
During the pandemic, the force not only escorted Oxygen Special Trains but also set up Help booths at major stations for information about COVID resources and immediate help to the needy. In 2021, 26 RPF personnel laid down their life for duty due to COVID-19 infection.
Head Constable Gyan Chand laid down his life while saving the life of a lady attempting to commit suicide on 2 March 2021 at Bharwari Railway Station, NCR (UP).
An initiative, Meri Saheli was launched to provide security to lady passengers in long-distance trains, particularly travelling alone or those who are vulnerable to crime. The force deployed 244 Meri Saheli teams at major railway stations across India. These RPF teams collect feedback from these lady passengers at the end of their journeys to assess the efficacy of the initiative to make the programme better. Other security measures such as train escorting, CCTV systems at 840 stations and about 4000 coaches, lady escorts in ladies’ special suburban trains and regular drives against unauthorised passengers in ladies’ coaches are among other initiatives being implemented by the force.
In 2021, RPF rescued 54 women, 94 minor girls, 81 men and 401 minor boys from human trafficking. More than 11,900 children in need of care and protection were rescued. Today, 132 Child Help Desks are functional across the country wherein RPF works with nominated NGOs for rescue of children, says the Ministry of Railways. The force arrested more than 3,000 criminals involved in offences against passengers and handed them over to concerned GRP/Police. Having been empowered under NDPS Act in 2019, RPF succeeded in the recovery of narcotics being carried through railways to the value of more than Rs. 15.7 crore after apprehending 620 drug peddlers in 2021.
RPF recovered several restricted wildlife, such as birds, snakes, tortoise, peacock and reptiles and their processed products along with sandalwood and other flora and fauna in 2021. The force retrieved left behind luggage of value above Rs.23 crore of 12,377 travellers under Operation Amanat.
