Kochi: The Railway Protection Force has given shape to a novel initiative aimed at enhancing the safety of women and children at railway stations and on trains. Under the programme called ‘Security on Wheels’ (SoW), WhatsApp groups have been started with RPF personnel and daily women commuters as members.
The RPF Thiruvana-nthapuram division has started two WhatsApp groups – SoW South and SoW North. Each has nearly 110 women commuters who frequently travel on trains. The objective of the groups is to establish two-way communication between RPF and women passengers.
“They may share any criminal activity happening or likely to happen on trains or railway stations affecting mainly security of women and other crimes also. On receipt of the information, the RPF will act swiftly and the person sharing the information will not be troubled in any manner for passing on the data,” T. S. Gopakumar, assistant security commissioner, Ernakulam, told DC.
The groups will be directly monitored by RPF divisional security commissioner S. Rama krishnan. The WhatsApp group administrator for the SoW South is assistant commissioner, Thiruvanan-thapuram, and that of SoW North is assistant commissioner, Ernakulam.
“The members can share their suggestions for security improvement. However, they are not allowed to share any other comments or wishes like good morning or good night,” the officer said.
If the members frequently pass over information, the RPF will request for their participation in the community policing scheme ‘Mitra Yojana.’ “Such members will be provided with Id cards and invited for bi-weekly security meetings. However, they should not expect any privilege,” he said.
