New Delhi: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has rescued 1045 children - 701 boys and 344 girls – in need of care and protection under ‘Operation Nanhe Fariste’ during the month of January this year.

“In January 2022, 1045 children - 701 boys and 344 girls – in need of care and protection who came in contact with Indian Railways were rescued with the follow up action in coordination with NGOs. Presently, child help desks are functional at 132 railway stations across the Indian railways,” said the Ministry of Railways in a statement.

RPF plays an important role in reuniting the children in need of care and protection, lost or separated from their family or escaped from their homes due to several reasons. They are vulnerable for getting exploited and trafficked, if not secured in time.

Similarly, to provide better security to women passengers several new initiatives were taken under ‘Mahila Suraksha’ initiative. During January 2022, RPF deployed ‘Meri Saheli’ teams at major railway stations with an objective to provide security to women passengers, especially travelling alone and vulnerable to crime and covered approximately 13000 trains all over India for this purpose.

RPF personnel especially ladies RPF personnel, who currently form about 9 per cent of the total strength, go out of the way to help pregnant women who go into labour during their train journeys, in childbirth under ‘Operation Matrishakti.’ During January 2022, women RPF personnel provided assistance to seven such women passengers and were instrumental in bringing their children to this beautiful world.

RPF is entrusted with the responsibility of security of railway property, passenger area, passengers and matters connected therewith. RPF personnel have been rendering outstanding service for the cause of security of railways and railway passengers. They also provide help to passengers in need and rescue of women and children in need of care and protection. To provide impetus to various activities of the force personnel which they are performing even beyond their assigned duties, it has been decided to launch several operations under different names starting from January 2022.

RPF has been saving lives of persons in danger of coming under the wheels of running trains at various railway stations and railway areas night and day going beyond their call of duty risking their own lives. Now the activity has been undertaken in mission mode under ‘Mission Jeevan Raksha.’ RPF personnel saved 42 persons, 20 males and 22 women under this mission during January 2022.

Under ‘Operation Dignity,’ RPF rescued 80 adult men and 153 adult women who were in distress needing immediate care and protection. They were handed over to their respective families or NGOs. Under ‘Operation Sewa,’ RPF provided assistance to more than 1000 elderly, sick, Divyang persons during their travel by activities ranging from arranging medicines, infant food, wheel chairs, stretchers, medical help to carrying Divyang or elderly persons on their shoulders. /BI/