Railway Protection Force Apprehends 916 Illegal Migrants Since 2021, Collaborates with Security Agencies to Combat Infiltration.
New Delhi:
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has successfully apprehended a total of 916 illegal migrants, including 586 Bangladeshi nationals and 318 Rohingya individuals, since 2021, in an ongoing effort to secure India’s railway networks against illegal migration. This significant achievement highlights the RPF’s dedication to safeguarding national security and preventing unauthorized entry.
A substantial portion of these apprehensions took place in mid-2024, with 88 individuals—including both Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants—detained across areas served by the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The majority of those caught confessed to entering India illegally and were traveling by train to cities like Kolkata, further complicating enforcement efforts. Despite the heightened security along the Bangladesh border, reports from October 2024 revealed that illegal migrants continue to infiltrate India, often using Assam as a transit route and railways as their preferred mode of travel.
To enhance its effectiveness in countering illegal migration, the RPF has intensified its collaboration with key security agencies, including the Border Security Force (BSF), local police, and intelligence units. This multi-agency coordination has improved operational efficiency, enabling rapid identification and detention of individuals attempting to breach the nation’s borders.
While the RPF plays a critical role in intercepting illegal migrants, it is not directly authorized to prosecute the individuals it apprehends. Instead, detained persons are transferred to the police or other relevant authorities for further legal action.
The rising trend of illegal migration is closely linked to political instability in neighboring countries such as Bangladesh and Myanmar, as well as socio-religious factors that have driven many individuals to seek refuge, employment, and shelter in India. These conditions have created a persistent challenge for India’s national security, as the infiltrators often use the railway network to travel deep into the country’s interior.
In addition to national security concerns, these migrants are at high risk of exploitation, including human trafficking for forced labor, domestic work, prostitution, and even organ trafficking. The RPF’s efforts remain vital in combating these risks while contributing to the broader challenge of securing India’s borders from illegal infiltration.
