Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police, in coordination with the Crime against Women and Children Wing, stepped up Operation Anwesan to trace, rescue and facilitate the safe repatriation of Odia children found in different states across the country.
As part of the operation, 17 teams were constituted for 17 states, with each team functioning under the supervision of a DSP-rank officer and a Legal-cum-Probation Officer of the WCD Department. The teams travelled to different states and remained there for around 10–12 days, coordinating with local police and concerned authorities to trace children and facilitate their rescue and repatriation.
The operation was conducted in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Kerala.
During the operation, children were traced from different circumstances, including cases of kidnapping, child labour and Child Care Institutions (CCIs).
Altogether 101 children have been traced/rescued under Operation Anwesan. While 11 children, including nine girls, were traced in connection with previously registered kidnapping cases, seven children were traced from labour sites and rescued from child labour.
On the other hand, 83 children, including 37 girls, were traced from Child Care Institutions (CCIs).
While 80 children have been repatriated from CCIs, the process for the safe repatriation of the remaining children is being undertaken in coordination with the concerned authorities.
The operation also brought to light several particularly sensitive cases involving vulnerable children.
Among those rescued was a three-month-old infant, born to an Odia minor girl while she was residing in another state. Efforts have been undertaken to bring the minor mother and her infant child back to Odisha together.
In another case, a one-year-old child was found staying in a Child Care Institution. The authorities took steps to trace the child’s mother and facilitate their reunion.
The operation involved extensive coordination between Odisha Police, the WCD Department, local police authorities and Child Care Institutions in the respective states. Teams conducted searches and visits at labour sites and CCIs to identify and trace Odia children who had become separated from their families or were found in vulnerable circumstances.
Operation Anwesan reflects Odisha Police’s continued commitment towards protecting children from trafficking, exploitation and child labour, tracing missing children, and ensuring their safe return to their families and home state.