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LAAPATA NANHE
Kolkata, 27th September, 2024:
Priya Roy (name changed), a 15-year-old girl from Sonarpur went missing on September 10 2024, after a disagreement with her mother. She was last seen near the train station wearing her school uniform. Her parents searched for her, contacting friends and neighbours, and eventually reached out to the station-in-charge and RPF (Railway Protection Force) for help.
Imagine the anguish, the sleepless nights, the constant waiting by the phone for missing of your beloved daughter. The heart-wrenching silence of a home once filled with laughter becomes unbearable when a family member like your daughter goes missing. The fear of the unknown, the longing to hold them once more, and the endless questions without answers consume every waking moment. It is a nightmare no family ever wishes to live through.
Much like the poignant storyline of the Oscar-nominated film Laapata Ladies, which delves into the trauma and fear surrounding the sudden disappearance of women, families are left in an emotional whirlwind. In real life, too, this haunting reality is witnessed all too often. Children and young girls, vulnerable and helpless, find themselves separated from their families, often due to unfortunate circumstances or nefarious motives such as human trafficking. The emotional toll on both the children and their families is immeasurable.
After gathering information from Priya’s family, the RPF sprang into action, gathering details and photos of the girl and disseminating the information throughout all Zones of Indian Railways through Security Control and also over Eastern Railway through their local network and WhatsApp groups. Thanks to the efficient system of RPF team of Eastern Railway, the girl was found at Bally station around 4:30 AM the next day. A ticket booking clerk raised an alarm when Priya struggled to pay for a ticket to Delhi. The on-duty booking clerk informed on-duty RPF team. The RPF Inspector verified her identity and after following legal formalities reunited her with her family, who were incredibly grateful.
This successful rescue is a testament to the RPF’s dedication and efficient information-sharing network. The reunion with her family was emotional, filled with tears of relief and gratitude. Priya’s rescue was a testament to the tireless efforts of the Eastern Railway’s Railway Protection Force and Railway staffs, who not only saved her but also prevented her from falling victim to a horrifying fate. Such rescue operation is day to day drive of Eastern Railway’s protection Force.
Under Operation Nanhe Farishtey, Eastern Railway’s RPF rescued 658 children between January-August 2024. This month, 95 children were rescued, including 07 from traffickers, and handed over to CWC for rehabilitations.
