Team Herald
MARGAO: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of South Western Railway under the ‘Nanhe Farishtey’ operation in order to prevent/detect the trafficking of children and women, during August 2021, rescued 90 children and reunited them with their parents or handed over to NGOs/Police, besides 25 touts have been arrested from Goa and Karnataka.
As informed by the office of Chief Public Relations Officer, SWR, 77 boys and 13 girls amongst the 90 who were rescued.
It was further stated that the RPF of SWR under the leadership of Alok Kumar, Principal Chief Security Commissioner, has performed exceptionally well during the current year.
“During the year 2020-21, while the nation passed through an unprecedented national lockdown, WR’s RPF staff worked tirelessly round the clock at the frontline to protect vital railway assets, providing security to the movement of passengers in special trains, also essential commodities without fearing for their own safety. The Force worked as a bridge between railway and state administration to ensure smooth running of freight operations and escorting of Shramik Special trains,” further stated.
Under the railways act: During the month of August RPF arrested 2,785 offenders under various sections of railway act, and obtained a fine amount of Rs. 80,383.
During the current year, 11 accused persons were arrested under the provision of RP(UP) Act 1966 and Railway property worth Rs 1,60,087 recovered under the railway property act 1966, besides, on 26 occasions, recovered leftover items of passengers such as laptops, mobiles, gold/silver ornaments and other personal belongings of total worth Rs 6,19,721 and handed over to passengers.
In order to facilitate common passenger in getting railway reservation tickets and to curb the menace of black marketing of railway tickets, special drives were conducted at travel agencies/agents all over Karnataka and Goa.
25 touts were arrested and prosecuted under Section 143 of Railways Act with seizure of 104 numbers of live reserved tickets valued Rs. 1,30,730 and 2770 used tickets valued Rs.22,59,579 were seized.
SWR under the Meri Saheli initiative has been launched to provide enhanced security to women passengers especially those travelling alone during their train journey. Under the initiative, teams of lady staff have been formed.
