Human Rights Basic Training Programme for Railway Protection Force Personnel

A special two-day Training of Trainers workshop was conducted on Human Rights sensitization and training for Senior officers of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) from the railway zones and master trainers drawn from 34 training centres across the country in New Delhi last week. The training workshop, organised by Security Directorate of Ministry of Railways was inaugurated by Hon'ble Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC (Former Chief Justice of India). While commending the RPF initiative, the Chairperson emphasized on the need to protect the basic rights of rail passengers and ensure a safe and secure environment on trains. He mentioned that the RPF was facing the challenging task of providing security to the Indian Railways which was one of the largest in the world. The Chairperson, NHRC, added that the basic course on human rights for the RPF constabulary was based on the course developed in collaboration with IGNOU for police personnel. He also mentioned that the NHRC would always extend full support to such sensitization programs for police and force personnel as it was essential that the constabulary which was at the cutting edge in dealing with the public should be sensitized on human rights.