163 minor boys from Bihar saved from moving train in MP; Allegation of attempted human trafficking

Bureau Prayagraj- 163 minor boys, who were being taken from Bihar to Maharashtra, were rescued by the Railway Police from an express train in Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district. The children, aged between 6 to 13 years, were allegedly being taken to Latur for labor work, officials said. On Saturday night, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) stopped them based on a tip-off received from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

RPF and GRP personnel, in a joint operation, stopped a group of eight people, who were minors traveling without any valid tickets or documents, aboard the Patna-Purna Express at Katni railway station.

RPF Katni Inspector Virendra Singh told the news agency that initial information revealed that these children were being taken from Araria area of ​​Bihar to Latur in Maharashtra for labor work. He said authorities acted after receiving intelligence about possible human trafficking, and became suspicious due to the absence of travel documents.

After being stopped, the GRP registered a case against eight accused under section 143(4) of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS), which deals with human trafficking of a child below 18 years of age. It is being told that all the accused are residents of different districts of Bihar.

According to officials quoted by PTI, the CWC had alerted the authorities when it received information about a large number of children being taken under suspicious circumstances. The security personnel then waited for the train on platform number 5 and upon its arrival conducted a search, and took the minors into safe custody.

Child Protection Officer Manish Tiwari said that the rescued children are being counseled, and efforts are also on to contact their families.