PATNA: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of East Central Railway (ECR) has arrested 29 criminals and recovered stolen items of passengers worth Rs 10 lakh in the last one week during raids conducted under the ongoing safety drive (Operation Yatri Suraksha) in its all five divisions. The RPF has also beefed up security at all major stations, including Patna junction, in run up to the Independence Day.
According to ECR chief public relations officer (CPRO) Birendra Kumar, the arrested criminals had targeted passengers either on the railway premises or in course of journey on running trains.
"The stolen items including, ornaments, cellphones, women's bags, laptops, trolley bags and other valuables, were recovered from the possession of criminals during raids at their hideouts located in Patna and other places falling under jurisdiction of the ECR in Bihar," the CPRO said. The recovered items were later sent to the respective GRP stations where cases were lodged by the victim passengers, he said.
Meanwhile, keeping in view huge rush of passengers at different places of the ECR, the RPF personnel have started assisting passengers under 'Sewa Hi Sankalp' mission, by escorting them to their reserved coaches and helping them reach their destination points, the CPRO said.
The CPRO said that RPF personnel, including women, were not only committed to protection of railway property, but also ensuring safe journey to passengers.
"Single woman passenger is being provided full safety during journey by women RPF personnel right from originating point to the terminating point," he said, adding RPF have also been asked to communicate with needy passengers and help them reach their places safely.
