RailEnquiry

KOLKATA: Tejaswani, the Mahila Vahini of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of South Eastern Railway (SER)'s Kharagpur Division has launched Op Rakshini to stop crime against women on trains. According to officials, the decision was taken after a report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on the plight of women passengers on trains and stations, the Nirbhaya incident, concerns raised by women's organizations and the media, complaints received from women passengers and reported cases."A survey was conducted by Tejaswani among women passengers. The force also studied case histories of crimes against women on trains and railway premises. After this, 10 worst affected trains were identified, including the Tata-Howrah Steel Express, Purulia-Howrah Express and several local trains. The most affected timings are between 8am and 10am and 5pm and 7pm.The worst affected sections were also identified before Op Rakshini was launched," said C K Mishra, additional security commissioner, RPF, Kharagpur. According to him, the major crimes include molestation, clicking pictures of women on mobiles without their consent, forcible capturing of seats and boarding 'women only' coaches, lewd comments when trains leave stations, snatching of belongings and human trafficking. Four mobile squads have been formed. Each squad will have four women constables and two male constables with two women sub inspectors in charge. A commando squad comprising a sub-inspector and four personnel will also assist the squads.

Four mobile squads have been formed. "The squads will operate between Howrah and Purulia and Howrah and Tatanagar. The women constables will be armed and ready to take on any challenge. The teams will endeavour to build up confidence and raise awareness among women.

Women will be encouraged to lodge complaints by calling up 0322-2255864 or 09002081781. They can also lodge complaints at tejaswanirpf@gmail.com. The squads will patrol station premises and escort trains. They will also carry out surprise checks on trains. Trafficking of women by trains is also a major issue. The squads have been instructed to maintain a lookout for suspects," an SER official said. tnn

According to Mishra, while vigil will be maintained on express trains, the main focus will be the locals where women commuters are at the receiving end, particularly during morning and evening peak hours.