12724 A P EXPRESS

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) Secunderabad Division has successfully rescued 08child trafficking victims and detained 04 traffickers. The operation was conducted in collaboration with the NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan and was based o­n intelligence generated from continuous data analysis by the RPF's Cyber Cell.

On 01^stJune 2023, RPF escorted Train No.12724 Telangana Express from its starting point of jurisdiction into Secunderabad Division i.e Ballarshah and conducted targeted raids from Ballarshah to Hyderabad. The operation was carried out by the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of RPF Secunderabad Division and involved keeping a close watch o­n suspected coaches to identify and pinpoint the seat and coach numbers of the traffickers.

The operation was successful and 08 child trafficking victims were rescued along with 04 traffickers coming from Uttar Pradeshstate. Upon reaching Hyderabad Railway station, RPF Inspector of Hyderabad co-ordinated withGRP, along with Sri. Venkateshwarlu, BBA, State Coordinator and Railway child line attended and forwarded to GRP for further legal action.

RPF, Secunderabad Division has implemented several measures to achieve this objective, including the deployment of additional personnel at railway stations, installation of CCTV cameras, and launch of awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of human trafficking. RPF has also established a dedicated helpline no 139 for the public to report suspected cases of trafficking, and has collaborated with other law enforcement agencies and non-governmental organizations to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases.  

As a result of these efforts, RPF has been successful in rescuing victims of human trafficking and arresting numerous traffickers under OPERATION AAHT. RPF has also been recognized by the government and various organizations for its contributions to the fight against human trafficking. In the year 2023, RPF Secunderabad Division has   rescued 151 children and arrested 69 traffickers.

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is conducting campaign from 1^stJune to 30^th June, 2023 focusing o­n prevalence of Child Labour at Railway Stations and RPF, Secunderabad Division is committed to its efforts to end human trafficking and plans to conduct further tactical raids to bring an end to this serious issue.  RPF appeals to the passengers and public to report any suspicious activity and to support its efforts to protect the most vulnerable members of society from the cruel and inhumane practices of human trafficking.

The Railway Protection Force of South Central Railway is keeping surveillance o­n parcels being transported through trains as part of the Pan India Drive ordered by the Director General, Railway Protection Force (RPF). In this regard, based o­n the intelligence input collected by Crime Intelligence branch of RPF/SCR o­n 03^rd May, 2023, smuggled cigarettes worth Rs. 67.50 lakh were seized at Hyderabad Railway station.

A joint team of Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police carried out a special check o­n parcels unloaded from Train No. 12724 Telangana Express at Hyderabad Railway station. During the inspection, fifteen parcels which were loaded from New Delhi were suspected. The parcels were then opened and found to contain 45 cartoon boxes with 4,50,000 pieces of foreign made PARIS brand cigarettes. The parcels were booked from New Delhi declaring as Grocery items.

As per sources, each cigarette stick is being sold in open market for Rs.15/- to 20/-, according to the demand. So the total value of smuggled cigarettes is assessed as Rs. 67.50 lakh approximately. The seized cigarettes were handed over to Customs department for further legal action. In this connection, RPF Hyderabad also registered a case against the consigner for false declaration under Railways Act.