Daijiworld Media Network - Katni

Katni, Apr 12: In a major anti-trafficking operation, as many as 163 minor boys were rescued from an express train in Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district, officials said on Sunday.

The children, aged between six and 13 years, were allegedly being trafficked from Bihar to Maharashtra for labour work. Acting on a tip-off from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) intercepted the group on Saturday night.

During the joint overnight operation, eight persons accompanying the children were detained onboard the Patna-Purna Express at Katni railway station. Officials found that the accused were travelling without proper tickets and valid documents, raising suspicion.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the children were being transported from Bihar’s Araria region to Latur in Maharashtra, reportedly for labour purposes, RPF Katni Inspector Virendra Singh said.

Following the rescue, the GRP registered a case under Section 143(4) (trafficking of a minor) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the eight accused, all hailing from different districts of Bihar.

Officials stated that the operation began after the CWC received inputs about a large number of children being moved under suspicious circumstances. Security personnel waited for the train at platform number 5 and conducted a thorough search upon its arrival, taking all the children into safe custody.

Child Protection Officer Manish Tiwari said the rescued children are currently undergoing counselling, while efforts are underway to contact their parents and verify their identities and purpose of travel.

Authorities added that some of the children have been accommodated in Katni, while others have been shifted to Jabalpur under the supervision of child protection units. Further investigation into the trafficking network is underway.