Under “Operation Nanhe Farishte”, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) have rescued more than 1,000 kids from Railway stations across India, in the month of January, 2022.

Key facts

• The RPF is entrusted with providing safety to passengers. It saved 1,045 children who were found alone or were abandoned at the railway stations.
• Out of all, 701 were boys and 344 were girls.
• According to the RPF, many children are kidnapped from railway stations every year. They are later exploited and trafficked.

Child Help Desks

Currently, Child Help Desks are functional across 132 railway stations in the country.

• Operation Mahila Suraksha– Indian Railways have been implementing several additional steps under “operation Mahila Suraksha”. This initiative guarantees enhanced security for female travellers.
• Meri Saheli squads– RPF deployed “Meri Saheli” squads at key railway stations, during the month of January 2022. They were deployed with the goal of providing security to woman passengers, specifically those travelling alone. The operation was covered in about 13,000 trains in India.
• RPF also apprehended five persons under the charges of molestation and eve-teasing. Some 2,185 people were also caught while travelling in ladies’ coaches.
• Operation Matrishakti– Under “Operation Matrishakti,” ladies RPF personnel went beyond the call of duty, to help pregnant women who were in labour while riding the train. Ladies RPF personnel make up about 9% of the entire strength. In January, assistance was provided seven pregnant women passengers and were instrumental in their children birth.
• Mission Jeewan Raksha– Under “Mission Jeewan Raksha,” RPF personnel saved 42 persons including 20 males and 22 ladies on duty in January.
• Operation Yatri Surakhsha– Under “Operation Yatri Surakhsha”, RPF also supports state police in the fighting against passenger crime. RPF arrested more than 300 criminals in the same period, who were involved in 254 passenger-related offences.

By: Brijesh Kumar