Indian Railway to add more 47 stations for ‘Operation Muskan’

New Delhi, September 25: The Home Affairs Ministry initiated ‘Operation Muskan’ campaign to rescue the missing children with the help of Railway Police Force (RPF). After the successful campaign, Railways Ministry has decided to add more 47 railway stations to this initiative.

 

While in present there are up to 35 railway stations under this Campaign, with this addition the RPF campaign will be implemented on 82 stations in which 75 are of A1 Category.

To rescue the missing children and to reunite them with their families the Police organizations took several activities. The children found in trains and Railway Premises becomes the responsibility of Railways, So Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Police are required to take preventive measures and protection for them.

From 2014-2016, RPF personnel have rescued 20,931 children over Indian Railway including 1,317 trafficked children (944 Boys and 373 Girls). In the current year, 7,126 children have been rescued including 185 trafficked children (124 Boys & 61 Girls) by RPF. Daily 20-25 children are rescued by RPF from Indian Railways and securely handed over to their parents, NGOs, legal rehabilitation institutions established by the government.

The Women and Child Development ministry set up the child help desks at the designated stations under the scrutiny of RPF staffs. As per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), this entire exercise is being undertaken to ensure the security of the children.

The children from different parts of the country are trafficked in large number. The railway premises are used as a shelter in large proportion. To stop and prevent plight of millions of children who got separated with their parents the RPF has started this campaign to rescue and rehabilitate children found in different parts of Railway premises.