Itanagar, Feb 19: In a major breakthrough, the Itanagar Police has unearthed an interstate child trafficking racket, rescuing three minor girls and arresting six accused persons in connection with ITA WPS Case No. 09/2026 registered at the Women Police Station (WPS), Itanagar. Police also informed that two minor children connected to the trafficking network remain untraceable, and efforts are ongoing to locate them.
The case was registered under Sections 93/117(2)/125(b)/143(4)/127(4)/146 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Section 14(1) Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
The case came to light on February 7 when a seven-year-old minor girl was found wandering in a severely injured condition at F-Sector, Itanagar, in the early hours of the morning. A local resident immediately informed the police, following which the child was taken to WPS Itanagar and rushed to RK Mission Hospital for medical examination.
The matter was promptly reported to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Capital Complex. The Chairperson and counsellor of the CWC provided immediate psychological support to the child at “Ane’s Home – The One-Stop Support Centre” set up within the WPS premises. During counselling, the child disclosed details of physical abuse and exploitation, leading to the exposure of a larger trafficking network. A written complaint was subsequently lodged by the CWC Chairperson.
Investigation revealed that the minor had been brought from Assam and engaged as a domestic helper at a residence in Itanagar, where she was allegedly subjected to repeated assault and cruelty. Unable to bear the abuse, she escaped on the night of February 6.
Further probe uncovered an organised pattern of illegal transfer and sale of minor children between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh over several years. Police found that: minor children were sold through informal cash transactions without any legal adoption procedures. Victims were deprived of education, identity documentation, and basic rights. Children were engaged as domestic helpers and subjected to exploitation and physical abuse. Multiple children from the same families were trafficked to different households.
Through sustained investigation and coordinated efforts, police teams rescued three minor girls from different locations, arrested six accused persons involved in trafficking and exploitation, and served notices under Section 35(3) of the BNSS to three additional individuals.
Police produced the rescued children before the CWC and shifted them to recognised shelter homes for care and rehabilitation.
Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy towards crimes against children, including trafficking, child labour and abuse, the Capital Police cautioned residents against engaging minors as domestic workers through agents or intermediaries. Such practices, police said, are illegal and expose children to grave exploitation.
Moreover, citizens have been urged to report any information related to child trafficking or abuse to the nearest police station or Child Helpline (1098). The Police reaffirmed their firm commitment to taking strict action against crimes involving women and children.