Mission Jeewan Raksha: RPF saved 601 persons in 2021

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is a special force that is engaged in the service of providing security to the passengers and the property of the railway. They work round the clock and are deployed in trains and in the station area. They keep a vigil on all sorts of activities which can threaten the safety of the travellers of the railways.

In 2021, this force saved the lives of 601 persons in different circumstances from coming under the wheels of the railways. The Ministry of Railway has informed that during the year, RPF personnel saved 601 persons without any care for their own safety, going far beyond their call of duty.

“Sh. Gyan Chand, Head Constable showed exemplary courage and laid down his life while saving the life of a lady attempting to commit suicide on March 2, 2021, at Bharwari Railway Station, NCR (UP). RPF has been saving lives in mission mode under “Mission Jeewan Raksha”,” it said.

It added, “RPF personnel have saved 1650 lives from the wheels of the running trains at railway stations in last four years under this mission. RPF personnel have been awarded with 09 Jeewan Raksha medals and one Gallantry Medals by Hon’ble President of India in recognition to their efforts in saving lives in last 4 years.”

Besides providing safety to passengers, it also “helps Indian Railways in providing safe freight transport service to its customers. RPF has ably discharged the responsibility of protection of huge assets of railways spread far and wide across the country by taking preventive measures as well as measures for detection of crime against railway property.”

According to the Railway Ministry, “It has become a crucial stakeholder in the national security grid by playing important roles in internal security, maintenance of law and order and providing bandobast during national and state elections.”