RPF arrests 7,000 for travelling illegally in ladies coaches
New Delhi: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has arrested 7,000 persons for travelling unauthorisedly in coaches reserved for women and also rescued 150 girls from becoming victims of human trafficking during a pan India drive.
The drive between May 3 and May 31 was carried out under “Operation Mahila Suraksha”. With an objective of providing enhanced safety and security to women passengers travelling by trains for their entire journey, another countrywide initiative, “Meri Saheli” is also operational.
Around 283 teams (covering 223 stations) of trained women officers and personnel with an average total deployment of 1,125 lady RPF personnel per day, are stationed across Indian Railways who interacted with more than 2.25 lakh women during this period and provided them end-to-end security, the Railways said in a statement.
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 a positive feedback.
“To educate rail users regarding their safety and “Dos & Don’ts” during their journey, 5,742 awareness campaigns were organised. During this month-long operation, RPF personnel risking their own lives and saved the life of 10 ladies who had slipped while boarding/deboarding moving trains and were likely to get run over by moving trains,” the Railways said.
