Operation Nanhe Farishte: RPF rescues over 580 children in South Western Railway Zone
_vb_60.webp)
Bengaluru: In a significant step towards protecting vulnerable children, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of the South Western Railway (SWR) zone has successfully rescued 583 children between April 2024 and March 2025 under its rescue initiative, ‘Operation Nanhe Farishte’.
Of the total rescued, 480 were boys and 103 were girls, according to the data accessed by The Hindu. These children were either reunited with their families or placed under institutional care.
Launched in July 2017, Operation Nanhe Farishte — which means "Little Angels" — is a dedicated mission to identify and safeguard children in distress or suspicious circumstances at railway stations and onboard trains. It specifically aims to prevent children from falling victim to trafficking, child labour, and other forms of exploitation.
“Although hundreds of children have been rescued in the last year, no case of trafficking has been registered by the RPF in the past three years within the SWR zone,” The Hindu quoted Manjunath Kanmadi, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of South Western Railway as saying. However, officials noted that the operation continues to play a vital role in safeguarding children before harm can occur.
Kanmadi explained that once a child is found under suspicious circumstances, they are brought to the RPF office for an initial inquiry to determine their background — whether they are runaways, missing, mentally challenged, kidnapped, struggling with substance abuse, abandoned, or potential victims of child labour. “They are first brought to a helpdesk, given food, rest, medical check-up and counselling, before being placed in safe custody,” he added.
Despite playing a key role in rescue operations, the RPF does not have the legal authority to arrest suspected traffickers under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
The operation relies heavily on support from NGOs, which assist in identifying vulnerable children, conducting initial enquiries, and training RPF personnel in child protection practices; these organisations also help raise public awareness, the report added.
Authorities have urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving children at railway stations. Citizens can reach out through the security helpline at 182, the National Childline at 1098, or the police helpline 100.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Mumbai-bound flight suffers 'tyre burst', none injured, say officials
Chennai, Apr 26 (PTI): A Mumbai-bound private carrier suffered a delay of about two hours on Saturday following a "tyre burst," when it was preparing for take-off, officials at the airport here said.
One tyre of the flight "burst" when it was on the runway, preparing for take-off around 4.40 pm. The flight with 156 passengers subsequently returned following this and all persons onboard were safe, they said.
The tyre was replaced and the flight later proceeded for its onward journey following a delay of about two hours, officials added.
