Mangaluru : The Railway Protection Force (RPF) attached to Konkan Railway Corporation has rescued 16 runaway children during the first four months of this year in its network.

The RPF has been repeatedly rescuing children found lost/abandoned and from trafficking from railway premises and on trains. The RPF has laid special emphasis on the rescue of runaway children adopting the standard operating procedure issued by the Ministry of Railways in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development and National Commission on Protection of Child Rights for the better care and protection of the child in contact with the Railways.

The children rescued had either absconded or had gone missing and found at various railway stations and trains on Konkan Railway network. They were handed over to the Childline and parents concerned after due verification, the release said.

KRCL urged passengers to inform it on toll-free number 182 or 1098, if they find a child in need of care and protection in railway stations or on trains for necessary assistance.