Railway Protection Force (RPF)

02 Aug Railway Protection Force (RPF)

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Railway Protection Force (RPF)”. The topic “Railway Protection Force (RPF)” has relevance in the “Internal Security” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:

What is Railway Protection Force (RPF)?

What is Government Railway Police? 

For Mains:

GS3:  Various Security Forces and their Mandates

Why in the news?

A Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable reportedly fired shots, resulting in the deaths of four individuals on a Mumbai-bound train on Monday morning, July 31st.

Railway Protection Force (RPF)

• The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is an armed entity that falls under the operational and administrative jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Railways.
• Its primary responsibility is to safeguard and ensure the security of railway assets, passenger areas, and the well-being of passengers themselves.
• The RPF was established through the enactment of the Railway Protection Force Act in 1957 by the Parliament.
• This act was formulated to create and regulate an armed force dedicated to enhancing the protection and security of railway property, along with related matters. 
• Subsequent to significant amendments made through the Railway Protection Force (Amendment) Act of 1985 (Act No. 60 of 1985), the act was enforced. The rules pertaining to this act were formally declared in 1987.
• The head of the RPF is designated as the Director-General.

Origins and Reasons for the creation of the RPF

• RPF’s roots date back to the ‘Watch and Ward’ system of private railway companies during the British colonial era.
• By the mid-1940s, existing Watch and Ward staff controlled by private railways fell short in preventing thefts and safeguarding assets.
• A 1954 committee, overseen by the Director of Intelligence Bureau, proposed transforming Watch and Ward into an officially established entity.
• An influential committee addressing railway security emphasized passenger safety, belongings protection, and potential threats.
• Consequently, the RPF Act of 1957 was enacted, gaining strength through 1985 amendments.
• Post 1985 amendments, RPF began collaborating with other security forces and increasingly supported State Police Forces.
• In 2003, RPF’s responsibilities expanded to encompass escorting passenger trains and regulating station access.

Role of the RPF and its operational scope

• At present, the RPF comprises a robust workforce of over 74,000 individuals deployed across the vast expanse of the nation. 
• Its operational domain is extensive, and its tasks are significant. The RPF is tasked with safeguarding more than 6,800 railway stations, managing over 7,000 passenger trains and 4,000 goods trains daily. 

Government Railway Police (GRP)

• The Government Railway Police (GRP) functions as a component of the district police force and operates under the purview of the state government. 
• While the GRP collaborates with the RPF, its main focus is on crime prevention and detection within the railway environment. 
• Notably, the GRP’s responsibilities do not extend to safeguarding railway property, a role that falls under the jurisdiction of the Railway Protection Force.

Specific duties of the GRP

The duties of the Government Railway Police are akin to those of the District Police within their respective areas of jurisdiction. 

• Maintaining order within railway stations and trains, encompassing the control of passenger traffic on platforms, in booking offices, waiting halls, entrance and exit gates, and other related areas. 
• This extends to regulating vehicular and other traffic within station precincts, ensuring order in halted passenger trains, preventing overcrowding in carriages, and addressing nuisances. 
• Additionally, the GRP is obligated to assist railway officers and the traveling public in alignment with their duties as police officers.
• According to the Railways website, the recent amendments in the RPF and Railways Act bring about significant implications for the GRP:
  • The GRP personnel will be able to direct their efforts towards addressing severe crimes, particularly instances of rape on trains and other offenses against women.
  • While the GRP will continue its policing responsibilities within the railway context, it will now have more dedicated time to focus on the investigation of grave criminal incidents.
  • The GRP’s scope of involvement can extend to track patrolling and conducting thorough investigations in cases of sabotage, as outlined in sections 150, 151, and 152 of The Railways Act.

Challenges to Collaboration 

• Challenges of Division: The division of responsibilities between RPF and GRP has, at times, led to practical challenges and inconsistencies, largely stemming from the demarcation of jurisdictional boundaries and the presence of diverse police forces.
• Jurisdictional Discontinuity: The organization of GRP on a provincial basis can lead to disruptions in jurisdictional continuity. As a consequence, passengers might find themselves under the oversight of multiple GRP units over a short distance, introducing complexities in effective oversight.
• Hindered Chain of Command: The existence of state borders and the corresponding police forces creates obstacles in establishing a seamless chain of command and coordination between different security agencies operating in the railway context.
• Coordination Challenges: The presence of multiple security agencies, including RPF, GRP, and District Police, can potentially result in coordination challenges. These complexities may impede swift and efficient responses to railway-related crimes and incidents.
• Passenger Predicament: For passengers, the multiplicity of security agencies can be perplexing. The presence of various authorities raises questions about whom to approach in case of railway-related offenses, contributing to confusion and uncertainty.

Sources: 

RPF man held for killing 4 on train: What is this force, and how is it different from the GRP? | Explained News – The Indian Express 

plutus ias current affairs eng med 2nd August 2023

Q1. With reference to Railway Protection Force (RPF), consider the following statements: 

1.  The Railway Protection Force (RPF) is responsible for safeguarding railway assets, passenger areas, and passenger well-being.
2. The RPF was established through the executive order of the Central Government. 
3. The RPF’s responsibilities expanded in 2003 to include escorting passenger trains and regulating station access.

Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only 

(d) 3 only

Answer: (c) 

Q2. Consider the following:

1. The Government Railway Police (GRP) functions as a component of the district police force and operates under the purview of the state government.
2. The GRP is responsible for safeguarding railway property, which is also a role of the Railway Protection Force.
3. The GRP’s scope can extend to track patrolling and conducting thorough investigations in cases of sabotage, as defined in The Railways Act.

How many of the abovementioned statements are correct ?

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two 

(c) All three 

(d) None

Answer: (b)

Q3. Discuss the role and responsibilities of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in safeguarding railway assets, passengers, juxtaposing with the role of Government Railway Police (GRP).  

Gaurav N