Hyderabad, Jan 4 (FN Agency) The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of South Central Railway (SCR) demonstrated exemplary dedication in its relentless pursuit of crime prevention within the expansive railway network in 2023. A total of 261 persons were arrested for unauthorised procuring and selling of railway reservation tickets during the year and seized 8770 tickets valued at Rs 2,30,59,680, the SCR said in a release here on Thursday. Resolute action not only curtailed illicit ticketing activities but also underscored the Railway Protection Force’s effective measures in preserving the integrity of ticketing systems and safeguarding financial interests within the railway domain. The dedicated efforts of the Railway Protection Force yielded substantial results in the realm of enforcing law and order on railway premises. As a result, we apprehended 28,778 persons for trespassing on railway premises and realized a sum of over Rs 25.77 lakh as a fine, indicating a robust approach to maintaining the sanctity and safety of railway environments.
Safety concerns took center stage as 728 individuals were arrested for endangering passenger safety, with a fine amounting to about Rs 10.28 lakh. As many as 702 people were booked for traveling in reserved compartments without a proper ticket and fined Rs 1.47 lakh. Simultaneously, 627 persons were apprehended for traveling on footboards and imposed with a a fine of Rs 1.35 lakh, apart from booking 1903 persons for traveling without a ticket. A focused commitment to preserving the sanctity of reserved spaces saw the apprehension of 835 persons for traveling in ladies compartments and being fined Rs 1.53 lakh, sending a clear message about the imperative to respect and adhere to designated accommodations. In order to combat smoking on railway premises, we apprehended 1,586 persons and imposed a fine of Rs 1.38 lakh, while in the same way, 18,002 persons were apprehended for littering on railway premises and realised Rs 37.23 lakh as penalty. Additionally, a fine amount of Rs 19.41 lakh was collected from 11,437 individuals under the COTPA. Besides, 19 people were arrested for carrying dangerous or explosive goods on trains. In a testament to the Railway Protection Forces unwavering commitment to the safeguarding of railway assets, a total of 693 persons were arrested for the unlawful possession of railway property and recovered railway property worth about Rs. 1.97 crore.
Moreover, 401 cases were booked for pelting stones on running trains, and 327 people were arrested. In parallel efforts to combat illicit activities over the railway network, 161 individuals were arrested for the transportation of 3293 kg of ganja worth Rs 23.09 crore. This resolute action not only curtailed illegal activities but also emphasized the Railway Protection Force’s proactive stance in addressing offenses that pose a threat to public safety. In a separate endeavor to curb the transportation of jaggery, 66 persons were arrested with a seizure of 22,905 kg of jaggery valued at Rs 3.94 crore. Furthermore, the stringent enforcement measures extended to the apprehension of 88 persons involved in the transportation of 5,429 bottles of liquor, valued at Rs 28.65 lakh. In a commendable display of vigilance, the RPF caught 454 criminals involved in the theft of passenger belongings within railway premises, and belongings valued at Rs 9.35 crore were returned to passengers who had inadvertently left their possessions behind on trains or within railway premises, underscoring the RPF’s dedication to facilitating a positive travel experience.
Beyond safeguarding possessions, the RPF’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of individuals extended to the rescue of 1,115 boys (minors) and 228 girls (minors) from trains and railway premises. These minors were promptly reunited with their parents or handed over to child rescue homes. This aside, the valorous and selfless actions of RPF personnel culminated in the successful rescue of 22 individuals from life-threatening accidents on railway tracks. This collective effort serves as a poignant testament to the Force’s remarkable commitment to ensuring the security, well-being, and positive experiences of railway passengers.