Maligaon, June 12 (MExN): The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of the Northeast Frontier Railway zone rescued 10 minors during routine checking at different trains and railway stations over the NFR zone on June 8 and 9. RPF also apprehended one person during this period for involvement in human trafficking, informed a statement from the NFR Chief Public Relations Officer on Sunday.
According to the CPRO, on June 8, an RPF team of Kokrajhar Post, conducted a joint drive with members of Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation at Kokrajhar station against human trafficking during which two minor boys were rescued. In another incident on the same day, under the supervision of Sub Inspector of the RPF/Guwahati, Railway Child Line, Guwahati conducted a check at Guwahati Railway Station, during which a minor girl was rescued, the release stated.
On the same day again, two more minor boys were rescued— one at Katihar Station by a team from RPF Katihar and the other from Suryakamal station by the RPF Dalkhola. The rescued minors were handed over to Child Welfare Committee/Kokrajhar, Railway Childline/Guwahati, Railway Childline/Katiharfor safe custody for further course of action, as per the release.
The CRPO further informed that on June 9, an RPF team of New Bongaigaon while conducting routine checking rescued two minor girls from New Bongaigaon Railway Station who were handed over to the In-Charge, Sakhi One Stop Centre, Bongaigaon for safe custody and further course of action. On the same day, a team of RPF Guwahati along with the members of Railway Child Line, Guwahati conducted a check at Guwahati Railway Station and rescued one minor boy. Later, the rescued minor was handed over to Railway Childline, Guwahati for safe custody and further course of action.
According to the release, on June 9, the Crime Prevention and Detection Squad of RPF Alipurduar under the supervision of Divisional Security Commissioner, while conducting a drive on the Northeast Express from Kokrajhar to New Coochbehar railway station, rescued two minor girls and apprehended one trafficker. “On interrogation it was learnt that the two rescued minor girls were brought by the trafficker from their home without the consent of their parents. The rescued minor girls and trafficker were de-boarded at New Coochbehar railway station. The apprehended trafficker along with the rescued girls was handed over to Officer In-charge, Government Railway Police, New Coochbehar for necessary legal action,” the CRPO informed.
Meanwhile, the release stated that RPF train escort parties and staff deployed at stations are vigilant and on the lookout for suspected persons involved in human trafficking as well as the movement of children in a suspicious manner, travelling alone, without proper guardian etc. A new initiative under “Meri Saheli” has been initiated over the NFR zone and is functioning round the clock to create awareness among women, and child passengers about the safety and security and use of helpline no 139 in case of any exigency.
