WORKSHOP ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING ORGANIZED BY RAILWAY PROTECTION FORCE, EASTERN RAILWAY
Kolkata, September 19, 2025
The Railway Protection Force (RPF), Eastern Railway, organized a Workshop on Human Trafficking on 19th September, 2025 at Udisha Auditorium, Fairlie Place, Kolkata today. The workshop aimed to raise awareness, strengthen collaborative strategies, and highlight preventive measures against human trafficking, with special focus on protecting women and children from vulnerable communities.
The workshop was graced by the presence of Sri Milind Deouskar, General Manager, Eastern Railway; Sri A. N. Sinha, Principal Chief Security Commissioner, Eastern Railway; Smt. Sharmista Ghosh Bhattacharya, Joint Labour Commissioner, Government of West Bengal; Sri Joydeep Bhattacharjee, ACJM, 2nd Court, Calcutta City Sessions Court; Smt. Chandrima Chakraborty, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Howrah; Sri Manish Sharma, Senior Director, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA); and Dr. Archana Majumdar, Member, National Commission for Women (NCW).
The deliberations covered the causes, impacts, and challenges of human trafficking, with emphasis on the plight of women and children. Strategies discussed included safeguarding victims’ identities, strengthening NGO–Police partnerships, conducting awareness drives, encouraging community vigilance, promoting economic empowerment, and ensuring safe migration.
RPF/Eastern Railway’s 69 Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) teams, along with initiatives such as Meri Saheli, Matangini Squad, and Operation Nanhe Farishtey, were recognized for their significant role in safeguarding women and children. Technological interventions including CCTV surveillance, panic buttons, and Railway Helpline 139 were also highlighted as vital tools in combating trafficking.
Rescue statistics showcased the sustained efforts of RPF: under Operation AAHT (2022–August 2025), 206 victims were rescued and 71 traffickers arrested in 44 cases. Under Operation Nanhe Farishtey, 1,023 children were rescued in 2024 and 766 up to August 2025 across Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, and Malda Divisions.
Dignitaries lauded RPF’s commendable efforts and emphasized the importance of multi-agency collaboration, awareness generation, and community participation in eradicating human trafficking. The event concluded with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the valuable contributions of all dignitaries, officers, NGOs, and stakeholders in this collective mission.
