RPF in talks with NGO to monitor mental fitness of its personnel: Report

Sources revealed that senior RPF officers are engaged in advanced-level discussions with a non-governmental organisation that functions in the field of mental health and well-being.

As the nation is yet to recover from the shockwaves following the shooting incident that took place on the Jaipur-Mumbai Superfast Express a couple of weeks back, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) is planning on conducting counselling sessions and carrying out psychiatric screening of its personnel, according to a report published in The Times of India.

Sources told the publication that senior RPF officers are engaged in advanced-level discussions with a non-governmental organisation that functions in the field of mental health and wellbeing.

On July 31, RPF constable Chetan Singh opened fire inside the train, killing three passengers and his superior officer ASI Tikaram Meena.

Sources in the RPF were quoted as saying by the publication that a full routine medical check-up for all personnel is conducted once every five years. The check-up does not include mental health screening. It is learnt that Singh’s routine check-up was done about 20 months ago while he was posted at Gujarat’s Bhavnagar and that his reports were normal.

According to sources, a proper program will be put in place for the Mumbai RPF. This will include figuring out what factors are causing stress for the force and how personnel can be helped. Professionals will screen the mental health of personnel and counselling will be provided as needed. The force has handed over the details of RPF personnel and the barracks where they are staying for this purpose to the NGO.

The constable first shot down his escort duty in-charge in the running train. He then moved to another bogie and shot dead three other passengers. The accused then tried to escape from the train between Mira Road and Dahisar but was later nabbed by the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel. Police are now probing a communal angle to the incident.