Northeast Frontier Railway RPF rescues 17, including 15 minors, in week-long drive
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) rescued 17 people, including 15 minors, from trains and stations in less than a week. The operations were part of an intensive drive against crime and unlawful activities conducted from June 25 to 30.
The NFR covers the eight northeastern states, the northern half of West Bengal, and parts of eastern Bihar. It includes the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, India's easternmost railway zone.
Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, NFR's chief spokesperson, stated that the RPF carried out 36 operations during the six-day period. The rescued individuals comprised 15 boys and girls and two vulnerable adults. They were handed over to Child Welfare Committees, Childline, One-Stop Centres, NGOs, or guardians after following due procedures.
In addition to the rescues, the RPF drive resulted in the seizure of 83.984 kg of ganja (cannabis), 343 bottles and a can of illicit liquor, seven mobile phones, two illegal railway tickets, and cash exceeding ₹35,000. The total value of the recoveries was more than ₹43.92 lakh.
“The RPF personnel apprehended 17 offenders, including those involved in narcotics trafficking, ticket touting, theft, stone-pelting, and other offences under the Railway Act and other applicable laws,” Mr. Sharma said.
The RPF, along with the Railway Protection Special Force, Government Railway Police, local police, and civil administration, also conducted an anti-encroachment drive at Assam's Safrai Railway Station. During this operation, 61 unauthorised structures were removed from 5,600 square metres of railway land.
