The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has launched ‘Operation Satark’ with an objective of taking action against illicit liquor/Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) /illegal tobacco products/unaccounted gold/cash/precious items/ any other items being transported through railway network for the purpose of tax evasion/smuggling/commission of crime/acts of terror.

RPF seized smuggled items worth about Rs 3.18 crore during April 5-30, the ministry of railways said.

Other major operations by RPF:

• RPF personnel have been saving lives of persons in danger of coming under the wheels of running trains at various railway stations and railway areas risking their own lives. Now the activity has been undertaken in mission mode under ‘Mission Jeewan Raksha’.

• RPF has played important role in reuniting the children in need of care and protection, lost/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. The force personnel were motivated towards this noble cause and an all India programme under the codename ‘Operation Nanhe Farihste’ was launched. Child Help Desks are functional at 132 railway stations.

• To provide better security to the women passengers several new initiatives were taken under ‘Mahila Suraksha’. ‘Meri Saheli’ teams were deployed at major railway stations with an objective to provide security to lady passengers specially travelling alone.

• Female RPF personnel go out of the way to help pregnant women who go into labour during their train journeys under ‘Operation Matrishakti’.

• Though Policing is a State Subject under 7th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, RPF supplements the efforts of state police in the field of combating passenger crime under ‘Operation Yatri Suraksha’. RPF is available on call (Toll Free 139 and other social media forums) round the clock to receive and resolve security and other grievances of passengers. 

• To curb the menace of human trafficking, RPF has been working in coordination with other stakeholders round the clock. Taking action under the codename ‘Operation AAHT’, RPF has rescued many persons.

• Passengers, many a times, leave behind their belongings in haste to catch trains or leave the station. RPF personnel act as guardians and help secure these belongings with an aim to restore them to their rightful owners under ‘Operation Amanat’.

• Under ‘Operation WILEP’, RPF acts against the smugglers involved in illegal trade of wildlife through Railways. 

• The RPF arrested many touts and blocked hundreds of IRCTC agent IDs as part of a pan-India drive against illegal ticketing named ‘Operation Upalabdh’. It was conducted following the restoration of long-distance train services as the festival and summer rush was expected to bring about a sharp rise in the demand for reserved train seats.

Railway Protection Force

• Security in Indian Railways is within the ambit of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP).

• Registration of FIRs, their investigation and maintenance of law & order in railway station premises as well as in running trains are the statutory responsibility of state governments, which they discharge through the respective Government Railway Police (GRP). RPF supplements the efforts of the GRPs by deploying its staff for strengthening of security over Railways.

• Railway Protection Force is an armed force of the Union entrusted with the security of railway properties and passengers. It is the lead security agency in the field of railway security having a pan-India reach.

• The history of the Railway Protection Force dates back to 1882 when various railway companies appointed their own guards for protection of railway property. 

• It was declared as statutory force in 1957 by an enactment of Parliament subsequently declared as an Armed Force of the Union of India in 1985. 

• RPF is headed by an officer of the rank of Director General, who functions under the ministry of railways.

• RPF is empowered under the ‘Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1966’ to deal with cases of theft, dishonest misappropriation and unlawful possession of Railway property. 

• A special formation called Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF), which is organised on battalion pattern, provides specialised service to assist the RPF in Zonal Railways. 

• At present, there are 15 battalions of RPSF located in various parts of the country, including one Mahila Battalion and one Commando battalion (CORAS).

• In August 2019, the first commando force for Railways — CORAS (Commandos for Railway Security) — was inducted. Comprising RPF and RPSF personnel, the CORAS is armed with special uniforms with bullet-proof jackets, helmets and sophisticated weapons. CORAS commandos have undergone training programmes, including basic and advanced commando courses with specialisation in handling landmines and improvised explosive devices, hostage rescue, sniping and breaching. The unit is being envisaged as a responder for any situation pertaining to damage, disturbance, disruption of train operations, attack/hostage/hijack, and disaster situations in Railway areas.

• Separate specialised intelligence units — Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) and Crime Intelligence Branch (CIB) also function at Divisional as well as Zonal Railways’ level for collection of special and criminal intelligence respectively. 

• Stores, Dog Squad and Band are other specialised units of the Force located at Divisional, Battalion and Zonal levels.

Objectives of RPF:

i) Fight against criminals and protect railway passengers, passenger areas and railway properties.

ii) Facilitate passenger-travel and security by removing all anti-social elements from trains, railway premises and passenger areas.

iii) Remain vigilant to prevent trafficking in women and children and take appropriate action to rehabilitate destitute children found in Railway areas.

iv) Cooperate with other departments of the Railways in improving the efficiency and image of the Indian Railways.

v) Act as a bridge between the Government Railway Police/local police and the Railway administration.

vi) Adopt proactively all modern technology, best human rights practices, management techniques and special measures for protection of female and elderly passengers and children, in the pursuit of these objectives.

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