Named after the courageous Ahom princess Joymoti, the Northeast
Frontier Railways (NFR) launched a dedicated Railway Protection Force
(RPF) women squad, Joyamati Bahini (or the army of Joymati) to
“strengthen women security around Guwahati region within railway
premises and trains.” The squad comprises 12 women: one sub-inspector
and 11 constables.
The initiative comes after an increase — (46% to 75% from 2017 to
2018) of crimes against women commuters travelling in trains under the Lumping division of NFR. In 2018, the RPF assisted at least 301 distressed women and children in the same division.
“Last year, a large number of women rail commuters, who had gone astray, were reunited with their families and hundreds of minor children rescued from different stations,” said Pranav Jyoti Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer, NFR.
The members of the Joymati Bahini will be in-charge of women and children. Photo Courtesy: NFR
The
squad, comprising women sub-inspector and constables of the RPF, was
officially launched by B.B. Mishra, Inspector General cum Principal
Chief Security Commissioner of NFR at Kamkhaya Railway Station, Guwahati
on January 19.
The members of the Joymati Bahini will be in-charge of women and
children, especially by ensuring that no one breaches the sanctity of
reserved compartments for women.
“They started their duty by interacting with women
passengers at the Guwahati and Kamakhya Railway station,” said Sharma,
adding “Passengers have also been told that they have the option to dial
182 immediately in case of any emergency on running trains or
platforms.”
The Joymati Bahini is currently headquartered in the Guwahati railway
station. “They will police both train and station premises. More such
squads are planned,” said Sharma
