New Delhi: Committed to ensuring safety and security of passengers, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) during the one-month long drive in March in coordination with the Government Railway Police (GRP) and local police undertook joint action and detected 306 cases of robbery, theft by drugging in trains, stations and arrested 339 offenders responsible for robbery, luggage lifting, illegal possession of arms and ammunition, chain snatching, pick pocketing and specific offences against body of women, and so on.

To control drugging incidents in trains and at stations during the month long drive, RPF conducted 16715 drives which involved preventive security checks in 30,205 trains to ensure that no passenger becomes a victim of drugging.

RPF is a lead agency in the field of railway security in India and has a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of passengers and railway infrastructure. RPF is sharing vital responsibilities for control of crime against passengers and other criminal activities in trains, stations, and other railway premises.

During the festive season, volume of passengers increases giving ample opportunity to anti-social elements to take advantage of passenger rush and commit passenger related crime in trains and stations. In the wake of increasing complaints of theft, drugging and carrying and consumption of liquor in train during the festive season, Railway Protection Force launched the month long special drive to crack down on cases of theft of passenger luggage, drugging and liquor smuggling.

The consumption and carriage of alcohol on trains not only poses a safety risk to the passengers but also leads to unruly behavior and discomfort for other travelling passengers. The Pan India month long drive aimed to curb such anti-social behavior and ensure a safe, peaceful and comfortable journey for passengers. During the course of this special drive against the carrying and consumption of alcohol in trains, RPF conducted 16,872 raids and booked 43 individuals under the provisions of Railways Act. 71 individuals found to be in violation of the rules against alcohol consumption.

Such proactive security measures not only ensure the safety of passengers but also go a long way in building confidence among travelling passengers. The successful outcome of this one-month long drive is a positive step towards achieving a more secure railway system. RPF will continue such drives in future and ensure better security to passengers over Indian Railways. /BI/