Acting on a tip-off from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) conducted an overnight joint operation. They intercepted eight persons travelling with the boys without proper tickets or documents onboard the Patna–Purna Express at Katni railway station
Initial investigations suggest that the boys were being taken to Latur to work as labourers. Representational Pic
As many as 163 minor boys, allegedly being trafficked from Bihar to Maharashtra for labour, were rescued from an express train in Katni district, railway police said on Sunday.
Accused claim children were being taken for education
However, the eight accused arrested in the case claimed that the children, aged between six and 13, were being taken to a madrasa in Latur for education.
Joint operation by RPF, GRP after tip-off
Acting on a tip-off from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) conducted an overnight joint operation. They intercepted eight persons travelling with the boys without proper tickets or documents on board the Patna-Purna Express at Katni railway station.
According to preliminary information, the children were being taken from the Araria region in Bihar to Latur, RPF Katni Inspector Virendra Singh told PTI.
No valid documents raised suspicion
Officials grew suspicious after finding no valid travel documents, prompting the rescue operation, which concluded early Sunday morning.
Singh said the GRP has registered a case under Section 143(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the eight accused, all of whom are from different districts of Bihar.
Probe suggests trafficking for labour
Initial investigations suggest that the boys were being taken to Latur to work as labourers, Singh said, adding that further investigation is underway.
Children packed in sleeper coaches
Katni GRP Station House Officer (SHO) L. P. Kashyap said the rescued children and the accused belong to the Muslim community.
The children were travelling in sleeper class coaches, with around 50 of them packed into a single compartment, he said.
Parents contacted, claims under verification
“During questioning, the accused claimed that the children were being taken for educational purposes to a madrasa in Latur. We have contacted some parents, who also said they had sent their wards for education,” the officer said.
The accused also claimed they had taken children to madrasas in the past, he added.
Accused to be produced in court
“We are investigating the case. The accused, booked on trafficking charges, will be produced in court,” Kashyap said.
Children taken into safe custody
Officials said the CWC had received information about a large number of children being transported under suspicious circumstances.
Security personnel waited for the train at Platform No. 5 and conducted a thorough search upon its arrival, taking the children into safe custody.
Counselling underway; children shifted to shelters
Child Protection Officer Manish Tiwari said authorities acted promptly on the input, and the rescued children are currently undergoing counselling.
Efforts are underway to contact their parents, while officials verify their age, identity and purpose of travel.
Some of the children have been housed in Katni, while others have been shifted to Jabalpur under the care of child protection units.
(With PTI inputs)
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