Ranchi, Mar 28: Authorities in Jharkhand have rescued 25 minor children who were victims of human trafficking and will rehabilitate them under the state’s Women and Child Development Department initiative, officials said.
Seven of the children are from Khunti, while 18 are from Sahebganj and Godda, officials added. The rescue was carried out by the Integrated Rehabilitation cum Resource Center, New Delhi, with assistance from Delhi Police and local NGOs. The children, aged between 12 and 17, were freed from Delhi and nearby states.
The operation was based on information provided by arrested human traffickers Poonam Marandi and Ishwar Turi of Sahebganj district, said Nachiketa, the nodal officer of the rehabilitation center. Officials said Rahul Singh and Nirmala Khalkho of the Integrated Rehabilitation cum Resource Center played key roles in coordinating the rescue.
The children are being safely escorted to Ranchi on Thursday under the leadership of CDPO Khunti Altaf Khan and CDPO Poonam Kumari of Sahebganj, authorities said.
The initiative is part of the Jharkhand government’s ongoing efforts to rescue and reintegrate trafficked children while providing them benefits from various government schemes. The action was taken under the direction of Resident Commissioner of Jharkhand Bhawan, Arwa Rajkamal.
Manoj Kumar, Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, and Director Kiran Kumari Pasi have instructed district officials to immediately form response teams for similar cases. “As soon as such a case comes to notice, teams should be sent to New Delhi to ensure the safe rehabilitation of children,” an official statement said.
Officials said a toll-free number (10582) is available to report human trafficking cases in Jharkhand. The rescued children will undergo counseling, home verification, and rehabilitation under district authorities to ensure their safety and well-being.
