Udupi: Five minor boys who had run away from their homes in Bengaluru were rescued at Indrali railway station after the alertness and timely intervention of a Railway Ticket Examiner (TTE) and personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF).
The children, who were travelling without tickets on the Matsyagandha Express, were later reunited with their parents following counselling and legal formalities.
TTE notices suspicious behaviour
The rescue operation began on July 1 when TTE Sabita Shetty was conducting ticket checks aboard the Matsyagandha Express travelling from Mangaluru to Mumbai.
While inspecting the general coach between Barkur and Udupi, she found five minor boys travelling without valid tickets.
Suspecting that something was amiss because of their behaviour, she immediately alerted the Railway Protection Force (RPF) control room in Udupi.
RPF rescues children at Indrali
As the train reached Indrali railway station, RPF personnel Muralidharan boarded the general coach and safely escorted the boys off the train.
The children were taken to the RPF station, where they were counselled. During the interaction, the boys revealed that they had left their homes due to family-related issues.
The prompt action by the TTE and RPF personnel ensured the children were rescued safely before they could travel further away from home.
Handed over to Child Help Centre
After providing the boys with refreshments and necessary care, RPF personnel handed them over to the Child Help Centre in Udupi.
The children underwent counselling, and officials initiated efforts to trace their families while completing the required legal procedures.
Authorities identified the boys as residents of RT Nagar in Bengaluru.
They were temporarily accommodated at the Doddanagudde Boys’ Home in Udupi until their parents could be contacted.
Reunited with parents
On Thursday, the parents of the five boys appeared before the Child Welfare Committee, submitted the necessary documents and completed the prescribed legal formalities.
Following verification, custody of the children was restored to their parents.
Railway officials said the incident highlights the importance of vigilance by railway staff and the coordinated response of the Railway Protection Force in ensuring the safety of vulnerable children travelling alone.