Latest news with #RailwayProtectionForce
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Hans India
Robbers strike at moving train in Chittoor dist
Tirupati: In an overnight robbery marked by precision and planning, an armed gang halted the Chamrajnagar–Tirupati Express by tampering with the railway signal system and looted passengers in two coaches near Siddampalli railway station in Chittoor district. The incident took place around 2.30 am on Thursday, raising serious concerns about railway security and sabotage. The train, which had left Katpadi late Wednesday night, was en route to Chittoor when it came to a sudden halt approximately 350 metres ahead of Siddampalli station. Although the route had been cleared, the signal indicated a stop. Upon investigation, railway officials discovered that wires had been cut and the system deliberately manipulated to display a red signal. Seizing the opportunity created by the isolated location and halted train, the gang approached the S-7 and S-10 sleeper coaches. Using flashlights, they identified female passengers wearing jewellery, then climbed atop one another to reach the windows and snatched gold chains from four sleeping women. The stolen ornaments weighed 40 grams, 15.5 grams, 5 grams, and 4 grams, respectively. Onboard beat officers responded quickly, sounding alarms and arming themselves, but the robbers escaped into the darkness before any confrontation could occur. The loco pilot's enquiry to the station confirmed that the green signal had, in fact, been issued—pointing directly to sabotage of the signalling system. Police suspect the involvement of a gang from Maharashtra with a prior history of similar train robbery. A robbery with comparable modus operandi was reported in the same region nearly 20 years ago. Investigators believe the attackers had specific technical knowledge of railway signalling. Within 20 minutes of the alert, teams from the Railway Protection Force and local police arrived at the scene. Forensic teams later found signs of forced access to the signal box, while police are also probing reports of suspicious individuals at a nearby quarry during the time of the incident. Authorities are treating the case as a pre-planned crime carried out by a well-organised gang, likely with connections to earlier incidents of signal-based train robberies.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Stray dog helps cops nab robber at Chennai Central
Chennai: A stray dog, which joined forces with Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Chennai Central railway station, helped police nab a mobile phone thief who attempted to flee after snatching the device from a passenger who was asleep. The stray had earned a nickname for its instincts and alertness - 'Tiger'. Tiger arrived at the station as a puppy during the Covid-19 pandemic and has since become a familiar presence among the 120 RPF staff at the station. Officers said the dog learned policing routines by closely observing patrolling teams and their interactions with commuters and suspects. According to RPF inspector Madhusoodhan Reddy, Tiger developed a strong sense of situational awareness and often followed police patrols at night. "If someone approaches the police with hostile intent, Tiger senses it and immediately intervenes," he said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai In the latest incident, a mobile phone thief attempted to escape after snatching a phone from a passenger sleeping inside the station premises. Tiger chased the suspect and bit into his trousers, holding him until the police arrived and apprehended him. In another instance, the dog helped detain a robbery suspect who pushed an officer and tried to flee during questioning at the RPF station. Officers noted that the dog was never formally trained but picked up police routines by watching daily operations. Tiger dons an officer's role to prevent footboard travel — it chases commuters who travel dangerously on the footboard, prompting them to move safely inside the train compartment. "Tiger has become an unofficial member of the RPF team," said inspector Reddy.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
RPF rescues two minor girls under ‘Operation Nanhe Farishte'
Prayagraj: The Railway Protection Force ( RPF ) of the Prayagraj division successfully rescued two minor girls in separate cases under the ongoing 'Operation Nanhe Farishte' and handed them over to Childline Prayagraj. In the first case, the RPF received information via the helpline about a minor girl traveling in coach B3 of the Seemanchal Express on Thursday. When the train arrived at Prayagraj Junction, sub-inspector Gaurav, along with constable Kusum Devi, supported by commercial and GRP staff questioned the girl. She revealed that she ran away from home to escape a forced marriage arranged by her parents. After ensuring her safety at the RPF post, she was handed over to Neetu Shukla, Supervisor of Childline, Prayagraj. In the second case, on Friday, during a routine patrol on platform number 1, sub-inspector Nitin and head constable Praveen Kumari found a 16-year-old girl from Jaunpur district. She informed them that she left home following an argument. The girl was brought to the RPF post and, after necessary procedures, handed over to Childline Prayagraj. "North Central Railway is committed to safeguarding every vulnerable minor under its 'Operation Nanhe Farishte' campaign. Indian Railways appeals to all passengers to immediately report any minor found in distress to the RPF staff, railway helpline number 139, or the nearest railway station staff," said public relation officer, Prayagraj division of NCR, Amit Kumar Singh.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Kalamna youth caught for pelting stones at Howrah-Ahd Exp, damaging window pane
Nagpur: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of South East Central Railway's Nagpur division apprehended an 18-year-old youth, Anil Pal, from Kalamna for pelting stones at the Howrah-Ahmedabad Express on May 17, 2025, in the Itwari area. The incident resulted in a shattered train window, endangering passengers and prompting swift action by the RPF under divisional security commissioner Deep Chandra Arya. Following a tip-off on June 24, RPF Itwari arrested Anil Pal, who confessed to throwing stones playfully while crossing the railway tracks with friends, unintentionally damaging the train's window. The accused was charged under Section 153 of the Railway Act, and legal proceedings are underway. In a similar incident, a 13-year-old minor from Urla, Durg, was apprehended on June 23 for pelting stones at the Puri-Indore Express on May 1 near the Shivnath River bridge. The minor admitted to accidentally hitting the train while targeting a tree and was also charged under the Railway Act. The RPF has intensified its crackdown on stone-pelting incidents, which pose significant risks to passenger and railway staff safety. "Such acts are dangerous and will not be tolerated. We are tracking culprits and raising awareness," said Arya. The RPF is conducting campaigns in villages near railway tracks, urging residents to report stone-pelting, a punishable offence, via the toll-free helpline 139 or to local RPF and railway police. These arrests highlight the RPF's commitment to ensuring passenger safety and curbing vandalism. The public is encouraged to cooperate by reporting suspicious activities to prevent such incidents, which disrupt railway operations and endanger lives.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
RPF reunites elderly woman with kin, arrests 2 for illegal ticket bookings
Gorakhpur: The Railway Protection Force ( RPF ) of North Eastern Railway continued its vigilance in safeguarding railway property, curbing human trafficking under the Bachpan Bachao Abhiyan, cracking down on illegal ticketing networks, and ensuring passenger security, said CPRO, NER, Pankaj Kumar Singh. On June 23, the RPF unit at Lucknow Junction rescued an elderly woman who was separated from her family during travel. She was safely brought to the RPF post and later reunited with her relatives after proper verification, he said. In two separate incidents, the RPF and Crime Intelligence Branch arrested two people for illegal railway e-ticketing. One person was arrested with seven reserved tickets booked using five personal IDs from a shop in Basti and another was held near Jagdishpur, Azamgarh with eight tickets. You Can Also Check: Varanasi AQI | Weather in Varanasi | Bank Holidays in Varanasi | Public Holidays in Varanasi At Siwan, the RPF and GRP arrested a criminal for stealing a mobile phone from a passenger aboard train no. 15048 and the RPF Chapra arrested a thief with cash worth Rs 9,610 stolen from another passenger on train no. 13106. The RPF also recovered and returned several lost items including bags, backpacks, and even a laptop, from trains and platforms at Basti, Sitapur, Chapra, Thawe, and Badaun to rightful owners after verification.
