Justice Shri K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission inaugurated a two-day workshop for the Master Trainers of Railway Protection Force (RPF) on 'Basic Course on Human Rights for Constables' at Rail Museum Auditorium in New Delhi on the 9th January, 2015. It was organised by the Commission in collaboration with the RPF. The Master Trainers will further impart training to about 16 thousand newly recruited Constables in the RPF, through their 34 training centers in different parts of the country.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Justice Balakrishnan said that the Indian Railway network is the biggest in the world, which is used by a large number of people from all sections of society. Though the Commission has not received many complaints against the RPF for human rights violations but the Force always has a challenge in dealing with different kinds of passengers with a humane approach, and issues related to safety and security on trains and railway stations. The railway platforms are public places and there is always a challenge to remain alert about the possibility of criminal activities. He expressed the hope that the Master Trainers will provide much needed orientation towards human rights to the Constables who have a direct interface with people traveling on trains. He also said that Travel Ticket Examiners should also be given training on human rights.
Earlier, the Director General, RPF, Shri Krishna Choudhary expressed the happiness to collaborate with the NHRC in the training of RPF personnel. He said that despite some improvement in the awareness about the importance of human rights, the violations thereof remained a major cause of concern. He said that as human beings, we must respect human rights of others and follow laws. A person in uniform must react with a human face and be responsive, responsible and helpful. He expressed the hope that the training on various aspects of human rights to 16 thousand newly recruited RPF Constables will transform the public face of the Force in the coming years.
Shri J.S. Kochher, Joint Secretary (Training), NHRC underscored the point that since the RPF has to deal with a large section of people, it is imperative that its personnel be sensitized on human rights issues.
Shri C.S. Ray, Inspector General (Administration), RPF also spoke on the occasion and emphasized the importance of such training programmes for police forces.