The Railway Protection Force (RPF) also arrested at least 7,000 persons for travelling in coaches reserved for women.
New Delhi: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has arrested at least 7,000 persons for travelling in coaches reserved for women and rescued 150 girls or women from being trafficked between May 3 and 31 under the ‘Operation Mahila Suraksha’, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement on Thursday.
The ministry in the statement said, “With an objective of providing enhanced safety and security to lady passengers travelling by trains for their entire journey, a pan India initiative “Meri Saheli” is also operational. As many as 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 deployed across the Indian railways who interacted with more than 2 lakh 25 thousand ladies during this period and provided them end to end security.”
Train escort duties with mixed composition of male and female RPF personnel were also widely deployed during this period. Mixed escort duties have commenced a few months back and are getting a positive feedback. Many passengers who avail the services of the Indian Railways are tweeting their satisfaction to the ministry for the initiative.
To educate the 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 life, saved the life of 10 ladies who had slipped while boarding or deboarding the moving train and were likely to get run over by moving trains.
“Indian Railways is keen and determined to continue to enhance women security cover over the railway network,” the Railway ministry added.
