31st RPF Raising Day Celebrated in Salem Division, Southern Railway today (26.09.2016)

DRM addressing the gathering, while DSC looks on from his left

 DRM inspecting the guard of honor 

 Impressive March Past by the RPF Contingents

Sri Aravind Kumar, Parade Commandant, leading the parade

The Railway Protection Force (RPF), one of the armed forces of the India, is celebrating its Raising Day all over Indian Railways, to commemorate the conferment of the Status of Armed Forces to RPF, by an Act of Parliament, on 20^th of September, 1957. This Raising Day was celebrated today (26.09.2016) by the RPF of Salem Division, Southern Railway.

In the function held at Railway Grounds behind the Divisional Railway Manager’s Office, Salem, Sri Hari Shankar Verma, Divisional Railway Manager, participated as Chief Guest and inspected the Guard of Honor.  He also witnessed the colorful march past by the RPF contingent consisting of RPF cadres and RPF Sniffer Dogs Squad. The parade was commanded by Sri Aravindkumar, Inspector, CIB, RPF. 

While addressing the gathering of large number of officers, staff and RPF cadre of Salem Division, Sri Verma, lauded the active role played by the RPF in protecting the railway property and ensuring the safety of rail passengers. He also praised the role of RPF, Salem Division, in working along with Commercial and other branches during the ticket checks and other activities. In the checks conducted against ticketless travelers, RPF played an active role in booking of 27,200 persons, and collection of Rs.99,92,806/-, he added.

He pointed out that during 2015-16, 39 cases were registered by RPF, Salem Division, after apprehending 41 criminals in connection with the theft of railway property and their recovery to the tune of Rs.1,02,287/- and prosecuted 7200 offenders, resulting in collection of Rs.25,71,050/- as fine under various categories of Railways Act. Towards prevention of touts, he said that RPF, Salem, has apprehended 21 black ticket marketing agents, seizing tickets worth Rs.2,47,566/- from them, and they were fined to the tune of Rs.45,000/- He also praised RPF in playing a proactive role, by conducting 174 awareness campaigns, in the year 2015-16. He announced a cash award of Rs.3000/- each to each of the contingents, over and above the group award of Rs.10,000/-    He also appreciated Sri P. Raajmohan, Divisional Security Commissioner, Salem, and Sri M. Sivadas, Asst. Security Commissioner, Salem, and other RPF cadres, for conducting the Raising Day in a grand manner. 

A blood donation camp was also organized on the occasion, in which 25 Staff, officers and RPF cadres, participated and donated blood.