Title - : RPF personnel hone their skills for commando job

Response to a crisis situation demands dexterity, accuracy, fitness, and speed. Vested with the crucial responsibility of ensuring the safety of rail travellers, these qualities have become imperative for field-level personnel of Railway Protection Force (RPF). The ongoing preparatory course on commando training for the RPF personnel of Southern Railway zone at the RPF Zonal Training Centre here is an endeavour to expose them to all aspects required for a commando. Personnel from the rank of constable to sub inspector from Chennai and Madurai railway division besides those serving in the Integral Coach Factory at Chennai have been handpicked for the nearly month-long preparatory commando training that covers both indoor and outdoor activities conforming to their day-to-day activities. A total of 21 RPF personnel are undergoing the training.The preparatory commando training constitutes a range of subjects, including handling of various types of arms such as the AK-47 assault rifle, commando tactics, field craft, explosives detection, jungle training, obstacles, rock climbing, low intensity conflict, unarmed combat, swimming, and first aid. In addition to utilising their own instructors, the RPF authorities have roped in personnel from the Tamil Nadu Special Police to train the participants, who are all below 35 years.

Upon completion of the preparatory course in Tiruchi, the participants would then undergo intensive commando training at the Tamil Nadu Commando School (‘Marutham') of the Tamil Nadu Police at Chennai for a period of six weeks to become conversant with the nitty-gritty of commando operations, say senior RPF officials here.

The RPF is vested with the responsibility of guarding railway property; escorting passenger trains and providing access control, regulation and security on platforms, passenger and circulating areas.