GUWAHATI: The Railway Police Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has rescued 623 minors, comprising 427 boys and 196 girls, in the course of routine checks and drives conducted at various trains and railway stations across NF Railway during the ongoing year from January to October 2023, as per an official report on November 6.
In addition to these rescue operations, the RPF also managed to apprehend 16 individuals involved in human trafficking during this period.
The operations were carried out at several major railway stations across NFR, including New Bongaigaon, New Jalpaiguri, Guwahati, Agartala, Rangiya, Katihar, Dimapur, New Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, Rangapara North, Mariani, and others. The RPF's approach to child protection extends to reuniting rescued children with their families, with all necessary verification procedures in line with established norms before their return to their respective parents.
Notably, Childline and various non-governmental organistions (NGOs) have played a pivotal role in collaborating closely with the RPF. They have also provided assistance in identifying minors who have either run away from home or fallen victim to human traffickers.
Under the Ministry of Railways, NF Railway has been conducting operations and campaigns with the goal of tracing and rescuing missing children and reuniting them with their families. Preventive measures have also been implemented to respond effectively when children in need of care and protection are identified on trains or within railway premises.