Jharkhand Police Bust Interstate Child Trafficking Racket, Rescue 12 Abducted Minors

The Jharkhand Police have uncovered a major human trafficking network operating across multiple states, leading to the rescue of at least 12 abducted children following an intensive investigation in Ranchi. The breakthrough came while police were tracking the kidnapping of two local children from the Dhurwa area, an operation that eventually exposed the scale and brutality of the racket.

According to officials, the rescue operation resulted in the recovery of children who were allegedly being forced into various forms of exploitation, including begging and theft. Investigators revealed that girls were also at risk of being pushed into prostitution once they reached adolescence. The operation marks one of the most significant crackdowns on child trafficking in the region in recent times.

The rescued minors are currently housed at the Dhurwa police station in Ranchi, where they are being provided care and protection. Authorities have confirmed that DNA tests will be conducted to establish their identities and trace their families. Once verification is complete, the process of reuniting the children with their parents or guardians will begin in coordination with child welfare agencies.

Further investigation has revealed that the trafficking gang, identified as the “Gulgulia” network, operated across Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh. The group’s operations were allegedly centred in Aurangabad, from where children were trafficked to different locations.

Police officials stated that the gang specifically targeted children from economically weaker families, abducting them and then selling them across state borders. The victims were allegedly trained for illicit activities before being sent to different regions, making it difficult for families to trace them. The investigation suggests that the network had been operating undetected for a considerable period.

So far, 16 members of the trafficking ring have been taken into custody. During questioning, police identified three key operatives—Ashok Singh, Babu Saheb, and Suraj Rawani—who were responsible for transporting children from various states. While Singh and Saheb reportedly operated from Aurangabad in Bihar, Rawani is believed to have coordinated activities from West Bengal.

The investigation also confirmed that the gang had abducted two local children, Ansh and Anshika, and was in the process of selling them. Police sources said a price had already been fixed, but a timely raid disrupted the plan. Along with the two local children, 10 other minors were rescued during the operation.

Authorities have described the case as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of child trafficking and have assured that further arrests are likely as the probe continues. The Jharkhand Police have reiterated their commitment to dismantling trafficking networks and strengthening inter-state coordination to prevent such crimes in the future.