Hyderabad: RPF holds workshop on child protection moves

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway organised a workshop on 'Strengthening of Child Protection Mechanism in Railways' on the railway premises and trains at Center for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad. This is an initiative by Railway Protection Force of SCR in collaboration with Terre des Hommes – Netherlands, Children of Indian Foundation and CPRL-CESS, Hyderabad. Mahesh Bhagwat, Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda, Hyderabad was the chief guest and GM Eshwar Rao, Principal Chief Security Commissioner, Railway Protection Force, SCR, was the guest of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahesh Bhagwat, Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda, said, "Police are able to control the prevention of child/human trafficking only with the great support and co-operation from Railway Protection Force, other responsible government departments and non-governmental organisations in the State of Telangana."

As trafficking is always considered as the basket of crime which is also an organised crime, he suggested improving their knowledge on protecting child in distress found in the railway stations. That as the women and children are most vulnerable to trafficking. The Commissioner requested the RPF to have special attention on identifying and rescuing the suspected victims and offenders.

Speaking on the need to prioritise on protecting children in distress at the Railway Stations, Eswara Rao said that besides protecting railway property and providing security to passengers, every RPF personnel should concentrate on identifying and rescuing the children and women found in distress. He informed that SCR RPF had rescued around 2300 children and replaced them to their native locations. Assuring to end child exploitation, he advised the participants to adopt the SOP on child protection.

S R Gandhi, Senior Divisional Security Commissioner, said that with the support and co-operation from all the departments and different stake holders of child protection, RPF has been in the forefront of child protection.