RPF of NFR rescues 738 runaway children, foils human trafficking attempts

Guwahati, Aug 21 (IANS) The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) rescued 738 runaway children besides apprehending nine traffickers during the first seven months of this year, official said here on Thursday, adding that 89 children and women were rescued from being trafficked.

NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that the RPF under the NFR continues its dedicated efforts towards the safety and protection of children in need of care.

He said that the RPF personnel rescued 738 runaway children, and 89 children and women from being trafficked and apprehended nine traffickers during January to July this year.

The rescued children and women were handed over to respective Child Line, Non-Government Organisations, parents and Government Railway Police (GRP).

The CPRO said that in a series of operations conducted between August 16 and 19, RPF personnel rescued 16 runaway minors from various trains and stations across its jurisdiction and ensured their safe custody through proper channels.

In a recent incident on August 16, during escort duty of a train, RPF personnel of Maligaon rescued two runaway minor children.

They were later handed over to Child Line, Bongaigaon and Chirang respectively. On the same day, the RPF post of Dibrugarh rescued one minor boy and handed him over to Child Line, Dibrugarh.

On August 17, RPF post of Dimapur (Nagaland) rescued one minor boy and ensured his safe custody through Child Line, Dimapur.

On August 18, multiple rescues were carried out in Katihar, Purnea, Kokrajhar and Alipurduar; five runaway minors from stations and trains were rescued and handed them over to respective Child Lines or guardians after proper identification.

Moreover, on August 19, the RPF of NFR rescued seven minors from Guwahati, Kamakhya, Dibrugarh, Jalalgarh and Alipurduar railway stations and handed them over to respective Child Lines or guardian after proper identification.

The RPF of NFR remains committed to the protection of children in need of care and assistance, an official said.

Passengers are requested to stay alert and report any unattended or suspected child to the RPF helpline number 139, Sharma said. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) operates in the northeastern states and in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.

--IANS

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