Guwahati: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast frontier Railway (NFR), while conducting regular checks and drives within the zone between 17th May to 31th May, 2024 apprehended 32 persons involved in Human Trafficking and Theft of Railway Passengers’ belongings.

Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR through a press statement said that during their drives at different stations and trains, they successfully rescued 48 persons including 45 minors and 03 women and apprehended 03 human traffickers from different locations. Similarly, the teams also recovered stolen passenger belongings like valuables worth approximately Rs 4,95,000. The teams apprehended 29 persons involved in this connection with recovery of valuables like mobile phones, laptop, bags, cash etc.

In a recent incident on 21st May, 2024, a joint team RPF/Kishanganj (KNE) and SIB/ Katihar (KIR) during regular checks and drives, rescued 03 minor boys from Kishanganj railway station. They also apprehended 02 human traffickers during the rescue incident and later handed them over to OC/GRP/Kishanganj along with the minor boys for further course of action as per law. Similarly, on 16th May, 2024 a joint team of RPF/Jalpaiguri Road (JPE) and Alipurduar (APDJ) rescued 01 missing girl from train 15658 DN (Brahmaputra Express) at Jalpaiguri Road railway station. The team apprehended 01 suspected human trafficker in this connection who was later handed over to the local police authority for taking action as per law. The rescued girl was later handed over to her cousin brother after proper verification by RPF post of Jalpaiguri Road outpost.

In another incident on 19th May, 2024, RPF and GRP team of New Jalpaiguri (NJP) apprehended 02 persons from NJP railway station and recovered 05 mobile phones worth Rs. 75,000/- approx. that were stolen from train passengers. In another incident, on 17th May, 2024 a joint team of RPF, GRP & CPDS of Katihar during regular checks and drives apprehended 05 persons and recovered 05 mobile phones stolen from railway passengers that worth Rs. 50,000/- approx. Later, the apprehended persons in both the incidents were handed over to the In-Charge of GRP outpost at NJP & KIR respectively along with the recovered valuables for further legal course of action.

The RPF of N.F. Railway always ready to provide services to extend guidance and assistance to the rail users besides their task of ensuring security to the passengers. Railway passengers can dial 139 (Toll-free) if they come across any problem during their train journey.