TC Web Desk
In their relentless efforts to ensure safe and secure travel of women over the Indian Railways, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and frontline railway staff under Operation Mahila Suraksha rescued 150 girls and women from becoming the victims of human trafficking. During this drive, RPF also arrested more than 7,000 persons who were traveling unauthorisedly in the coaches reserved for women.
Risking their lives, the RPF personnel saved the life of 10 ladies, who had slipped while boarding or deboarding the moving train and were likely to get run over by the moving train.
Operation Mahila Suraksha was launched from May 3-31, 2022.
Indian Railways runs another pan-India initiative, Meri Saheli, which aims at providing enhanced safety and security to lady passengers travelling by trains for their entire journey.
Under the programme, 283 teams (covering 223 stations) of trained female officers and personnel are deployed across the rail network. This is at an average total deployment of 1,125 lady RPF personnel per day. These personnel interacted with more than 2.25 lakh women during this period and provided them end-to-end security.
Train escort duties with mixed composition of male and female RPF personnel were also widely deployed during this period. Mixed escort duties have commenced few months back and are getting positive feedback.
The ministry also ran 5,742 awareness campaigns during the month-long operation.
