President presents colours to Railway Protection Force

New Delhi, May 22 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today presented colours to Railway Protection Force and commended the organisation for providing security to railway property and ensuring safe and secure travel for passengers.

During the last five decades, after enactment of the RPF Act 1957, Railway Protection Force Personnel had been carrying out many operations for providing security to railway property and facilitating safe and secure travel for passengers, he said.

Recognising the acts of courage and bravery demonstrated by RPF personnel over one thousand four hundred medals of various type have been awarded to them including President's Police Medal for gallantry and distinguished services, he added.

''RPF is in a beautiful mission, when the nation sleeps during night, RPF teams are awake to make the passengers and the railways secure.'' The President said he was happy to know that lady constables were deployed to assist the lady passengers in major railway stations and special women squads like Tejaswini and Bhairavi etc had been functioning to prevent offences against lady passengers.

''I am also happy to note that the 66,000 strong RPF has a compliment of over 3000 women police personnel. I am sure this number will go up to 6000 very soon,'' he added.

Dr Kalam presented the colours to RPF at a ceremonial parade held at the force's training ground in Dayabasti area in NorthWest Delhi.

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