Thiruvananthapuram: Days after a 19-year-old woman passenger was attacked by an intoxicated man inside a moving train at Varkala, the Kerala government has launched Operation Rakshitha to ensure the safety of passengers — especially women. The operation will be jointly carried out by the Railway Police and local police, with strict action to be taken against passengers found travelling under the influence of alcohol.

The State Police Chief has ordered the deployment of special police teams across railway stations from Wednesday. These teams will be equipped with breathalysers and Alcometers to identify and detain passengers under the influence of alcohol.

Under Operation Rakshitha, the state has been divided into four zones — Kozhikode, Palakkad, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram — with four Railway DySPs overseeing the operation. Women police officers will be part of the teams deployed at railway stations. These teams will conduct intensified patrolling on trains and platforms, with special focus on compartments with a higher number of women passengers.

The main objectives of Operation Rakshitha are to ensure the safety of women passengers at railway stations and on trains, prevent illegal activities, curb travel under the influence of alcohol, stop drug trafficking, and deter indecent behaviour towards women commuters.

Security checks have also been tightened at railway station entry and exit points, platforms, and inside trains. Alcometer testing to detect intoxicated passengers has been initiated at 38 railway stations across the state.

Railway SP K S Shahansha IPS told Manorama Online that those found travelling under the influence of alcohol will face legal action under Section 145(A) of the Indian Railways Act and Section 118(A) of the Kerala Police Act.