Indian Railways, NCW hold workshop on anti-human trafficking in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: A one-day workshop on “Anti-Human Trafficking” was jointly organized by the National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Bengaluru, at the Karnataka State Government Employees Association Auditorium in Cubbon Park recently.

The workshop, aimed at sensitizing and training key stakeholders in preventing, detecting, and responding to human trafficking, laid special emphasis on the pivotal role of the Indian Railways in combating this grave menace.

The event was inaugurated by V. Somanna, Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti.

In his address, he underscored the need to conduct similar awareness workshops in all major cities. He commended the RPF’s dedicated efforts not only in ensuring passenger safety but also in rescuing victims of human trafficking through the railway network.

Somanna also appreciated the success of initiatives such as ‘Operation Meri Saheli’, which focuses on the safety of women passengers travelling alone or with children.

Vijaya K. Rahatkar, Chairperson, NCW, delivering the keynote address, lauded the Indian Railways’ commitment to curbing human trafficking and highlighted the MoU signed between NCW and Indian Railways to jointly address this issue.

As part of this collaboration, such workshops are being held across the country to strengthen awareness and action.

She emphasized four core principles to effectively combat human trafficking — Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership — and commended the RPF’s proactive measures, including ‘Operation Matrushakti’, which provides assistance to pregnant women in labour during train journeys.

The event also featured addresses by Sudeep Jain, Member-Secretary, NCW, and Praveen Kataraki, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Bengaluru.

Louis Amuthan, DIG, RPF, South Western Railway, welcomed the gathering, while K. James, Divisional Security Commissioner, RPF, Bengaluru, proposed the vote of thanks.

The workshop included expert-led sessions by Mahesh Bhagwat, ADGP, Telangana, Shantala Bhat, Member, Advisory Committee, NCW, and Nistha Dubey, Senior Advisor, ACT, Pune.

The sessions covered various aspects of human trafficking such as legal frameworks, victim identification, rehabilitation measures, and the need for inter-agency coordination.

The workshop saw participation from RPF personnel, Station Masters, Ticket Examiners, GRP officials, and representatives of NGOs working in the field of anti-human trafficking.