• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Katni Railway Station in Madhya Pradesh became the center of a major security operation late Saturday night when more than 150 children were deboarded from a Pune-bound train from Patna. The intervention followed high-level concerns regarding potential human trafficking.

Acting on a tip-off from a social organisation, a joint task force including, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) intercepted eight persons, who were travelling with the boys without proper tickets and documents onboard the Patna-Purna Express at Katni railway station. 

Intelligence-Led Operation

The rescue was triggered by reports that a group of children, aged between 6 and 13, were being transported from Bihar to Maharashtra under suspicious circumstances. Authorities moved quickly to intercept the group as soon as the train reached Katni. According to preliminary information, the children were being taken from the Araria region in Bihar to Latur in Maharashtra, RPF Katni inspector Virendra Singh told PTI.

ALSO READ: When Singer Asha Bhosle Left Her 'Short-Tempered' And 'Sadist' Husband: 'I Was Pregnant...'

According to officials, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) had received information about a large number of children being transported under suspicious circumstances. Security personnel waited for the express train on platform number 5 and searched coaches upon its arrival, taking the children into safe custody. 

Verification And Counseling

A total of 167 children were identified and removed from the train for screening. Child protection officers have since begun individual counseling sessions. Initial inquiries suggest the majority of the children are from the Muslim community and were reportedly being moved to various madrasas in Maharashtra for enrollment. While those accompanying the minors produced some documentation regarding school admissions, authorities are currently verifying the authenticity of these papers.

ALSO READ: Iran, US Trade Blame After Peace Talks Fail; How Unexpected Demands, Mutual Distrust Led To Deal Collapse

Current Status Of Minors

- To ensure their safety, the children have been relocated to secure facilities.

- 80 children have been transferred to a juvenile home in Jabalpur.

- The remaining minors are being housed at a child protection center in Katni.

Ongoing Investigation

The Child Welfare Committee, Railway Police, and district authorities are conducting a thorough joint investigation. Officials are currently reaching out to the children’s families and local administrations in Bihar to cross-reference their stories. Investigators emphasised that it is too early to confirm if this was a case of illegal trafficking or a legitimate educational transfer; a final determination will be made once the verification process is complete.


Also In News