The Railway Protection Force (RPF) organized its Investiture Parade – 2015 today i.e. on 03.11.2015 at 6th Bn. RPSF, Dayabasti, New Delhi. The Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu was the Chief Guest and Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha, was the Guest of Honour at the function. On this occasion Chairman, Railway Board Shri A.K. Mital, Member Staff Railway Board Shri Pradeep Kumar and other Board Members and officials from Northern Railway were among those present. Director General, RPF Shri Rajiva Ranjan Verma gave the welcome address at the function.Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhu took the general salute and inspected the Parade.
There was impressive march past by the RPF Jawans. Minister of Railways and Minister of State for Railways presented awards to RPF officers / RPF personnel on this occasion. It is quite gratifying for the RPF, that 07 officers/ RPF personnel were awarded with the prestigious President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Services, and 59 with Police Medals for their Meritorious Service. Other awards like Railway Minister’s award for Best Investigation, Bravery, Community Policing Awareness in Railways, etc. were also conferred on the deserving RPF/ RPSF personnel. So far 75 PPMs and 689 IPMs have been awarded to RPF personnel including today’s Investiture Ceremony.Investiture Ceremony is an occasion to recognise and honour the meritorious, distinguished and gallant members of the Force for their deeds in the service of the Nation and in enhancing the image of the Force. The giving away of these honours on behalf of the President of India by Minister of Railways and Minister of State for Railways evokes a sense of pride and dignitary to the recipients and the Force personnel.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhu said that the RPF has been given a special responsibility of security of the railway property and travelling persons which they are carrying out with full dedication. He pointed out that RPF personnel are also giving useful contribution to the overall security of the country. Appreciating the award winners, Shri Suresh Prabhu said that it shows that they must have worked hard and may not have cared for their lives in the line of duty. The award winners will inspire other RPF personnel to work with greater dedication. Referring to the law and order issues, Shri Suresh Prabhu said that railways are generally regarded as soft target and may fall victim of nefarious designs of anti-national elements. The Railway Minister said that RPF has to fully geared up to meet the menace of terrorism and other anti-national activities to ensure security of the people. Shri Suresh Prabhu informed that a strategic cell needs to be set up which will formulate strategies based on threat perception to thwart any anti-social and untoward activities. We will not let anti-national elements succeed in their dastardly and nefarious acts.
Emphasizing the significance of technology, Shri Suresh Prabhu said that security systems in the Railways are making use of technology and constantly updating the same. He said that use of CCTV, Scanners, Installation of Helpline numbers are some of the measures based on technology which Railways have initiated. He said that there would be no dearth of funds for introducing new technology and new security initiatives. The Railway Minister emphasized on the need to have a strong training system for the RPF personnel. He called upon RPF to be more vigilant so that it emerges as a very strong and tough force so that even the criminals would dread it.Suresh Prabhu also said that there is a need for better coordination with the State Government Railway Police to ensure effective security as law and order is essentially a State Subject. He said that both the Central Government and the State Governments have the common objective of providing best possible security to its own people. Suresh Prabhu said that he has already written letters to all the Chief Ministers of different States for working out a more synergized and seamless security mechanism.
He said that the Railways is also giving enough attention to the women security and some of the Zonal Railways have already developed local security APP for Mobile Phones for ensuring women security. The Minister said that Indian Railways soon will come out with a single All-India Women Security APP so that women everywhere can take advantage of this. Shri Suresh Prabhu said that the Ministry of Railways is committed to the concept of zero tolerance towards corruption. Railway Minister pointed out that he has given directions for organizing intensive drive against the ticketless travelers. Similarly, he has also given instructions to stop thefts of goods/parcel etc. By launching such measures we will ensure that Railways do not suffer revenue loss. Shri Suresh Prabhu said that the Hon’ble Prime Minister has given lot of emphasis on infrastructure in the country including Railway Sector and hence we are working with the principle “Rail Badhe, Desh Badhe” and have initiated major schemes for resource mobilization, increasing passenger amenities and ensuring safety and security of the travelling public. The Minister reiterated the commitment of Railway Administration towards the welfare of the families of the railwaymen including RPF personnel. He said that RPF would get enough funds for constructing its barracks, purchasing vehicles and security equipments etc. and the shortage of funds will not come in the way of implementing these objectives.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Manoj Sinha said that the RPF should remain vigilant and geared up to meet any kind of security challenges like terrorism and any other anti-national activities. He said it is important to ensure security of women. Referring to Railways security helpline, Shri Manoj Sinha said that this helpline has really helped railway passenger in a big way and the Railway administration is resolving complaints satisfactorily. He said that we should popularize the security helpline number so that more and more persons can take advantage of this. He also called upon RPF personnel to concentrate on physical fitness also. DG, RPF Shri Rajiva Ranjan Verma in his welcome address presented the report of the activities undertaken by the RPF. He outlined the various achievements of RPF.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has come a long way from the Watch & Ward era of 1882 to the present day wherein it is now entrusted with not only protection of Railway Property but also providing security to railway passengers, passenger area of the Indian Railways. The 75,882 strong Force working under the Ministry of Railways works tirelessly to serve 2.5 million passengers travelling daily apart from guarding huge Railway assets spread across the country. The award of the President’s Colour to the RPF in 2006 is an indication of the growing stature of the Railway Protection Force.
Having been vested with powers of investigation under the RP(UP) Act & Railways Act, the Railway Protection Force arrests & prosecutes offenders committing crime over the Railways. The Force faces diverse security challenges such as crime against railway property and passengers, extremist violence against railways, obstruction to train movement/ Rail Rokos due to political agitations, flash protests by daily commuters, rescue of runaway, lost and trafficked children, ticketless drives, drugging, narcotics, smuggling of contraband material and FICN, etc. A good number of unauthorized vendors, touts, males in ladies compartment, offenders at level crossing, offenders indulging in unauthorized chain pulling, carriers of dangerous goods, etc. are prosecuted in the best interest of the travelling passengers.
CCTV surveillance cameras have been installed at major stations under Integrated Security System (ISS). Besides, Baggage Scanners, Door Frame Metal Detectors, Hand Held Metal Detectors & Bomb Detection equipment items have alsobeen installed/ procured under ISS. The RPF Security Management System (RSMS) (developed by CRIS) has started functioning in 2013 for communication with Zonal Railways through ‘Railnet’ for taking prompt action on real time basis and to reduce the paper work. The increasing use of technology by RPF to ensure safety and security of rail passengers is evident in the launching of Security Apps on mobile phones of rail passengers, especially women, for alerting RPF has been initiated in Central Railway (M-Indicator), South Central Railway (RISSTA) and Eastern Railway (R-Mitra). Efforts are being made to standardize an App on an All India basis.
An “All India Security Helpline” has been set up in August 2014 over Zonal Railways by providing a common Helpline No. 182 for round the clock security related assistance to passengers. Calls related to offences under the Railways Act, theft of passenger belongings, for medical assistance, luggage left behind, nuisance mongers in trains / railway premises, etc. are received and suitable action initiated. A good number of passengers have thanked the Force in acknowledgement of the good work rendered. To strengthen security of women passengers 12 Mahila Vahinis (women RPF companies) have been sanctioned. All the Ladies Special trains including certain women coaches are being escorted by RPF Lady Constables.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was issued in collaboration with Ministry of Women & Child Welfare for the care & protection of children on Railways. The work of RPF in rescue of children from traffickers was recognized by the Ministry of Home Affairs. On 07.10.2015 during the function on National Conference of Anti Human Trafficking held at New Delhi, Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh presented Certificate of Excellence to DG/RPF for commendable contribution of RPF during “Operation Smile” in the field of Anti Human Trafficking.