RailPost Bureau
October 26, 2019:
Eastern Railway’s Railway Protection Force (RPF) has intensified its awareness campaign against stone pelting on trains. This is part of its ‘Operation Sathi’ launched on April 25, 2019 targetting children and parents of nearby localities, villages, schools, and colleges.
The aim is to counsel them about the consequence of stone pelting on trains and its repercussions on passenger safety. Posters, pamphlets and other publicity literature have been distributed to the public and passengers to make them aware about the perils of stone pelting.
RPF deployment has been done in sections /areas where such incidents take place to ensure safe passage of trains.
Reasons for stone pelting has been identified as children playing alongside the railway track throwing stones, unauthorised encroachment or vandalism.
A total of 34 incidents of stone pelting reported over Eastern Railway (Howrah Division – 6, Malda Division – 13, Asansol Division -9 and Sealdah Division – 6) until October 24, ER said in a statement.
RPF is doing surpise checks at vulnerable locations and has been successful in prosecuting 18 offenders.
Officers and staff at the ground level are being sensitized to gear up the application of ‘Operation Sathi’ and taking legal action against the offender to curb the menace, especially in some areas of Sealdah division.