Guwahati: Continuing the fight against transportation of contraband, smuggled goods in trains, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has recovered contraband goods worth more than Rs 1.22 crore during the period from 1st to 15th of June, 2024. RPF also apprehended 15 persons for alleged involvement in transportation of contraband, smuggled goods during this period. Moreover, RPF of NFR is regularly conducting drives to control the menace of touts. In recently conducted checks and drives over the zone from 1st to 15th of June, 2024, RPF apprehended 5 touts and recovered railway tickets worth above Rs. 90 thousand from them.

Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR through a press statement said that during January - May, 2024, RPF of N. F. Railway recovered contraband and smuggled goods worth more than Rs. 16.21 crore and apprehended 217 persons for involvement in smuggling of contraband goods.  Moreover, 119 touts were also apprehended by RPF of NFR and recovered railway tickets worth more than Rs. 21.98 lakh during this period. All the apprehended persons were prosecuted under the relevant section of the Railways Act.

In a recent incident on 13th June, 2024, RPF & GRP of Guwahati conducted checking in train No. 15817 DN (Donyi Polo Express) at Guwahati railway station. During checking, they apprehended two persons and recovered 89 grams Brown Sugar worth Rs. 17.80 Lakhs (approx.) from the train. Later, the apprehended persons along with the recovered Brown Sugar were handed over to OC, GRP of Guwahati for necessary legal action.

Moreover, in an incident on 09th June, 2024, RPF team of Kishanganj and CIB team of New Jalpaiguri jointly conducted a raid and search operation at PRS counter of Aluabari road railway station. During the raid, the team recovered 21 PRS Tickets, worth around Rs. 55,223/- and apprehended one tout in this connection. A case was registered under section 143 of the Railways Act for further course of action.

It may be mentioned here that RPF of N. F. Railway are constantly on vigil towards activities related to smuggling and transportation of contraband items at railway stations & trains and unauthorized & illegal procurement of railway tickets.