Guwahati: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has intensified its efforts to ensure passenger safety through dedicated women-centric initiatives, regular train escorting, strict enforcement of railway rules and prompt grievance redressal.

Special emphasis is being placed on ensuring the safety, dignity and confidence of women passengers, particularly those travelling alone, through preventive measures, onboard security and timely assistance.

Under the ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative, dedicated teams have been deployed at 22 major railway stations across NFR to interact with women passengers, provide necessary assistance and make their journeys safer and more comfortable. In addition, RPF personnel escort an average of 45 trains daily, including 13 Mail and Express trains covered by mixed escort teams comprising male and female personnel.

To prevent unauthorized entry into ladies’ compartments, RPF has also intensified special drives against male passengers violating railway rules. Between January and September 2026, a total of 2,466 persons were apprehended and prosecuted under Section 162 of the Railways Act. Between June 19 and September 30, 2026, another 219 persons were apprehended, with penalties amounting to approximately ₹4.9 lakh realised under the Jan Vishwas Act.

Under Operation ‘Matrishakti’, which focuses on assisting pregnant women requiring emergency support during childbirth, RPF personnel, particularly women officials, assisted in two childbirth cases on railway premises during the current year. Awareness videos highlighting railway safety and assistance available to women passengers are also being regularly shared through the social media platforms of RPF/NFR and NFR.

RPF/NFR has stepped up efforts to protect vulnerable passengers and combat human trafficking. Under Operation ‘Nanhe Farishtey’, 591 children, including 387 boys and 204 girls, were rescued from trains and railway premises between January and September 2026. The children were reportedly runaway, left behind, destitute or missing.

During the same period, the force rescued 22 trafficking victims, comprising 13 minors — eight boys and five girls — and nine women. Ten alleged traffickers were also apprehended as part of these operations.

In another significant initiative, RPF/NFR used the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal to trace lost or stolen mobile phones. A total of 2,437 mobile phones were traced, of which 352 were recovered. Twenty-one criminals were arrested in connection with these cases.

The force also continued its drive against nuisance and disorderly conduct on railway premises. During the first nine months of 2026, 1,023 persons were apprehended and prosecuted under Section 145 of the Railways Act for creating nuisance.

RPF/NFR maintained a proactive approach towards passenger grievances received through Rail Madad. During September 2026, it received complaints involving 321 cases of luggage left behind, 52 cases of passenger nuisance, seven complaints of misbehaviour with women passengers, 126 cases involving missing or non-responsive passengers, and 27 cases concerning unauthorized persons in ladies’, disabled or reserved coaches. The force stated that personnel responded promptly and resolved the reported issues.

Meanwhile, RPF/NFR registered 434 cases of theft of passenger belongings between January and September 2026. Of these, 241 cases were detected, leading to the arrest of 315 criminals.

Through women-safety initiatives, regular train escorting, enforcement drives, rescue operations and effective grievance redressal, RPF/NFR continues to strengthen passenger security across its railway network, with particular emphasis on protecting women, children and other vulnerable sections of society.