Guwahati: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of N. F. Railway successfully rescued 42 persons including 36 minors, 02 mentally retarded men, 02 women and 02 girls during ongoing checking and drives conducted from May 16 to 22, 2023 at different trains and railway stations over N. F. Railway. RPF also apprehended two persons involved in human trafficking.
The drives were conducted at different locations in Katihar, Purnea, Barsoi, Kumedpur, New Bongaigaon, Rangiya, Kamakhya, Guwahati, Mariani, Tinsukia, New Jalpaiguri, New Tinsukia & Dimapur railway stations. All the rescued persons were later handed over to the respective child lines as per norms for safe custody and family members after proper verification.
On May 17, 2023, RPF jointly with members of Bal Bachao Andolan team and GRP of Purnea conducted a successful drive at Purnia railway station and successfully rescued seven minor boys and also apprehended two human traffickers from the station premise. Later those traffickers along with the rescued boys were handed over to GRP/Purnea for further course of action. These minor boys were taken to engage as house helps in different parts of the country. Human trafficking rackets mainly use the railway to transport minors posing as their parents and relatives. The vigil of RPF saved these kinds from a dark future.
In a recent incident of May 22, 2023 RPF of Katihar along with Meri Saheli Team, conducted a drive at Katihar railway station and rescued one run away minor boy. Later, the rescued boy was handed over to ChildLine/Katihar for safe custody and necessary action.
On May 21, 2023, RPF team of Dimapur rescued 03 runaway minor girls from Dimapur railway station. Later the minors were handed over to Child Line, Dimapur for further course of action. Their parents were also intimated later on.
RPF remains vigilant for suspected persons involved in human trafficking as well as the movement of children in a suspicious manner, travelling alone, without proper guardians.
