Berhampur: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) rescued 34 minor students, mostly boys aged 15 to 19, from Howrah-Secunderabad Falaknuma Express at Berhampur railway station in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Saturday.
According to sources, the students, hailing from West Bengal and Bihar, were reportedly en route to Hyderabad to pursue studies. Two youths, who claimed to be their guardians but were unable to produce relevant documentation for escorting the group, were
detained for questioning. “The two persons travelling with the students were questioned. They said we are their guardians. We have deboarded them for verification,” RPF-in charge, Berhampur, CV Ramanna told the media.
The students were guided to the Child Assistance Centre at the railway station and later handed over to members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) with investigation underway to determine potential risks such as trafficking or exploitation.
This is not an isolated incident. Earlier, RPF had rescued 71 children, hailing from Araria district in Bihar, from Cuttack railway station in two phases on April 15 and April 11 under operation Nanhe Fariste. Those children were allegedly brought to Odisha with promises of free education, food, and accommodation at madrasas, raising concerns about organised networks targeting underprivileged families.