Maligaon, February 12 (MExN): The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Northeast Frontier Railway apprehended three persons in different drives conducted during last few days for illegal selling of railway tickets. RPF also recovered 10 railway tickets from their possession on February 4 and 7, according to a press release from the NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Sabyasachi De.
In the month of January 2023, as many as 9 persons were apprehended for touting activities with the recovery of 32 railway tickets, worth more than Rs 73,000. Apprehended persons were prosecuted under section 143 of the Railways Act, 1989, it said.
As per the release, in an incident, on February 4, CIB and RPF team of Guwahati conducted surveillance/checking against illegal and other undesirable activities over Guwahati Railway Station. In course of their checking, they apprehended two persons who demanded extra amount from a group of passengers assuring them getting confirmed berths in a train. During enquiry, it was learnt that apprehended persons were dealing with illegal selling of railway tickets and took extra higher amount of Rs 5000 from the passengers for 6 GS tickets against actual fare of Rs 295. As such, the recovered tickets were seized and a case has been registered under section 143 of the Railways Act.
In another incident on February 7, CIB team of RPF/Katihar, jointly with RPF team of Barsoi, conducted drive against touting activities of railway tickets at the PRS counter of Sudhani railway station during which they apprehended one person and recovered 4 PRS counter tickets, worth more than Rs 9000. In this connection, a case has been registered under section 143 of the Railways Act.
The release further stated that the RPF of NFR apprehended 104 touts with recovery of 1102 railway tickets worth more than Rs 31.66 lakh during April to December, 2022. RPF of NFR keeps close vigil on touting activities to prevent illegal selling of railway tickets. Unauthorized supply and procurement of railway tickets is punishable offence under section 143 of the Railways Act, it added.
