South Western Railway RPF Rescues 37 Children, Seizes Drugs Worth ₹66.86 Lakh in March
Bengaluru: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of South Western Railway (SWR) has reported significant achievements across multiple operations in March 2026, highlighting its continued commitment to passenger safety, security, and welfare.
Under Operation “Nanhe Farishteh,” RPF successfully rescued 37 children, including 22 boys and 15 girls, who were found separated from their families. These children were safely handed over to their families or to NGOs and police authorities for further care and protection.
In addition, under Operation “Dignity,” two elderly women in distress were rescued and reunited with their families or entrusted to NGOs after due verification.
As part of the women-centric “Meri Saheli” initiative, RPF ensured safe travel for single and unaccompanied female passengers. Currently, 32 trains are covered under this initiative, with real-time monitoring and assistance provided throughout the journey.
Cracking down on ticket black marketing, RPF conducted intensive drives under Operation “Uplabdh” across Karnataka and Goa. A total of 28 touts were arrested in 28 cases under the Railways Act. During the operation, 65 live tickets worth ₹2.06 lakh and 70 used tickets valued at ₹15.88 lakh were seized.
In anti-contraband operations, RPF achieved notable success. Under Operation “Satark,” 11 cases involving liquor were detected, leading to the seizure of 163 bottles (326 litres) worth ₹66,800. Meanwhile, under Operation “Narco,” 21 cases were registered, resulting in the seizure of 106.66 kg of ganja valued at ₹66.86 lakh and the arrest of 11 individuals. All accused were handed over to GRP and excise authorities for further action.
RPF also responded swiftly to passenger concerns, recovering lost or misplaced belongings such as laptops, mobile phones, and valuables on 70 occasions. Items worth ₹50.42 lakh were successfully returned to their rightful owners.
To ensure safety across the railway network, 125–130 RPF personnel escorted an average of 35–40 express and special trains daily, along with continuous mobile patrolling.
Under the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1966, RPF registered 14 cases, arrested 18 offenders, and recovered stolen railway property worth ₹4.62 lakh.
Additional General Manager P. Ananth commended the RPF personnel for their dedication and reaffirmed the collective responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of every railway passenger.
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