RPF books 1,200 male trespassers in ladies coaches

Nagpur: Around 1,200 male passengers were fined more than Rs 2.62 lakh for trespassing into ladies' compartments of different trains after being nabbed by Railway Protection Force (RPF), South-East Central Railways (SECR), between January and March this year. RPF has prioritised women security under ‘Operation Saheli'.

Under supervision of divisional security commissioner, Deep Chandra Arya, the RPF has raised focus on women travelling in trains, especially those unescorted by shielding them from strangers to increasing their presence near them.

Observing a trend of mischief-makers and eve-teasers trespassing into exclusive ladies' compartments, RPF undertook a drive to register offences against them under Railways Act, compelling them to pay hefty fines. The ‘ladies' special compartments are commonly allotted in short-distance trains connecting suburbs.

In long-distance trains, RPF started identifying lonely women travellers and visiting their berths or seats to inspect their safety. RPF officers, especially women constables, would also share mobile phone numbers with women or girls travelling alone or with children, urging them to contact them if assistance is required.

Sources stated around 5,778 RPF personnel inspected around 2,234 trains passing through SECR limits to conduct security audits over three months. The RPF also extended emergency assistance to around 2,650 passengers, including women, following their security-related complaints raised through Rail Madad portals or social media handles. "Whenever there's a woman complainant, RPF takes special care to render prompt assistance. Under 'Operation Matrishakti', assistance has been extended to expecting mothers to reach hospitals promptly following complaints of labour pains during travel," said a railway official.