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Operation Rakshitha, a special drive jointly launched by the Government Railway Police and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to ensure women’s safety in trains, has received an encouraging response from passengers across Kerala. Women passengers welcomed the initiative, describing it as an outcome of their long-standing demand for safer travel, and urged that it be made permanent. Rail passengers’ associations had earlier called for stronger action following several alleged attacks on women travellers. According to an RPF inspector under the Palakkad division, recent inspections have shown results, with over 70 suspects booked on various trains. However, many passengers feel that temporary measures are inadequate. They have called for a permanent women’s safety squad to conduct flash inspections and monitor suspicious behaviour. Other suggestions include professional passenger-screening systems at railway stations and issuing unreserved tickets with passenger details to aid identification. Several of these commuters are part of local rail passengers’ associations affiliated with the Confederation of Rail Passengers Association, which has already submitted a charter of demands to the railway authorities. Women passengers have reiterated the need for stronger patrols in trains. Jincy Joshi, a counsellor and frequent traveller between Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram, said remaining vigilant was as important as a quick response. Dhanya Jose, principal of a nursing college in Kozhikode, said that occasional checks would not solve the issue. “Without a permanent system to monitor anti-social elements, the problem will continue. Pre-planned inspections rarely work,” she said. Anna Joy, a fashion design student from Kozhikode, called for a round-the-clock women’s helpline, with display of contact numbers in every compartment in the local language. Students from Kozhikode and Kannur also sought regular monitoring in local trains to prevent harassment.
