PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Feb 10: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) detected 88 cases and recovered Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) valued at Rs. 4.7 crore with the arrest of 83 peddlers/traffickers of NDPS and also succeeded in rescuing 35 boys and 27 girls from the clutches of traffickers with their arrest i.e. 19 traffickers who were handed over for taking suitable legal action.
RPF conducted the month-long drive in January with the objective to make a dent in the syndicate involved in the smuggling of narcotics products through the railway network under Operation ‘Narcos’ and Human Trafficking under Operation AAHT.
Railway authorities in the SER zone said RPF is working in a mission mode to ensure that the credentials and criminal antecedents of all the persons engaged in contractual work in railways are verified by the concerned police and only the persons having no criminal antecedents are allowed in the railway system.
A focused initiative in this regard was taken and the contractors were directed to comply with the condition of police verification of their staff.
RPF is entrusted with the responsibility of security of railway property, passenger area, passengers and matters connected therewith.
In addition to the mandate, RPF has been entrusted with other responsibilities in the interest of national security.
Railway has been the preferred mode of trafficking NDPS for longer distances, and therefore, the Government of India, empowered RPF officers, of and above the rank of Astt. Sub-Inspector, to exercise the powers and perform the duties to conduct a search, seize NDPS and arrest traffickers under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS)Act, 1984 and further hand them over to the empowered law enforcing agencies.
Human trafficking, especially of women and children, for sexual exploitation, prostitution, forced labour, forced marriage, domestic servitude, adoption, begging, organ transplant, drug peddling etc is an organised crime and the most abominable violation of human rights.
Railways have outsourced many of their work and services to outside agencies and contractors. This has resulted in many outsiders operating on railway premises and in trains.
Incidents have been reported, wherein, these outsourced staffs have indulged in activities which are illegal and criminal cases have been registered against them.
