Operation Muskaan: RPF reunites 143 children with families

RPF said drive was part of Operation Muskaan with the numbers surpassing the total rescue in 2015. Most of the children rescued from stations are found to be residents of Mumbai and surrounding cities

The railway protection force (RPF) has reunited 143 of the 202 children found on the premises of western railway stations till June, much higher than the 67 successes in 2015, as part of Operation Muskaan.

The RPF coordinates with Childline, a non-profit organization, which helps children found at railway stations. The officers said special teams have been formed at each RPF outpost to keep an eye on such children, most of whom are forced into begging. (HT FILE)

According to police officers, most of the children, rescued are residents of Mumbai and surrounding cities. “Our personnel is trained to find, communicate with and reunite children spotted at the stations. The training helped them deal with the rise in such cases,” said Anand Vijay Jha, senior divisional security commissioner, RPF, WR.

The RPF coordinates with Childline, a non-profit organization, which helps children found at railway stations. The officers said special teams have been formed at each RPF outpost to keep an eye on such children, most of whom are forced into begging. “The efforts by GRP and us have ensured we reach out to more children fleeing from their homes. Our numbers have risen from 18 in 2014 to 97 in 2015 and 202 within the first six months of the year,” said Jha.

In another drive, the GRP has rescued 1,034 children found in June, of which 313 were girls. So far, 946 of them have been reunited with their parents. “Most of these children were found around railway booking counters. The children were taken to children’s homes with the help of non-profits,” said a GRP officer.

To contact the railway police

In case of distress, you can call the Government Railway Police on their helpline number, 9833331111, the Railway Protection Force on 1275/1311 or the Mumbai police control room on 100

You can also call the GRP commissioner on 022-23759251 or write to cp.mumbai.railways@mahapolice.gov.in

You can also upload your complaints on www.facebook.com/mumbairailwaypolice

Women can send their complaints by WhatsApp to 9833312222