Itanagar, Aug 24: Namsai Police has recovered 19 children from different parts of Arunachal Pradesh and arrested three alleged facilitators in an ongoing investigation into a suspected child trafficking and exploitation network.
The children were recovered from locations including Mechuka, Aalo, Pasighat, Naharlagun, Itanagar and Longding, police said on Monday.
The case was registered at Namsai Police Station on August 17 following a complaint received from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Namsai.
Considering the inter-district nature and seriousness of the case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted under the supervision of Namsai Superintendent of Police Sangey Thinley, with DySP (HQ) Matin Ratan assisting the investigation.
SDPO Namsai, Kengo Dirchi, has been entrusted with the investigation. The SIT comprises Inspector T Gadi, OC Namsai Police Station, SI R Kahik and other police personnel.
During the investigation, three women—Gumnya Kochung, Marta Ete and Neha Gerory—were arrested for their alleged roles as facilitators/brokers, police said.
Children allegedly procured
on assurances of better care
Preliminary investigation suggests that economically vulnerable families were allegedly approached with assurances of better education, care and upbringing for their children. The children were subsequently allegedly procured, transported and placed with different persons at distant locations.
Police said suspected monetary transactions ranging from approximately Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 per child have emerged in certain cases. Investigators are also examining allegations that some parents or guardians received money in connection with handing over their children.
Some of the recovered children were allegedly engaged as domestic helpers and in hotel-related work.
Police said a particularly concerning aspect of the investigation is the young age of several children. A majority of those recovered are reportedly below eight years of age, while the youngest identified child was reportedly around three years old at the time of procurement or placement.
Following their recovery, the children have undergone necessary medical examinations and child-protection procedures and have been produced before the competent Child Welfare Committee. Their statements are also being recorded before a magistrate in accordance with law through a child-friendly and sensitive process.
The identities, photographs and other particulars that could reveal the identities of the children are being kept confidential in accordance with legal provisions, police said.
The SIT is examining financial transactions, call records, digital evidence, movement of the children and alleged links among facilitators, recipients and other persons to establish the complete chain and determine individual roles on the basis of evidence.
Police said the recovery of 19 children does not mark the conclusion of the operation. Teams are continuing efforts to trace and recover other children and identify additional persons who may be involved in the suspected network.
Namsai Police appealed to anyone having information about children who may have been taken, procured, transported or placed with other persons under similar circumstances to approach the nearest police station or Child Welfare Committee.
Parents and guardians who may have handed over their children through intermediaries or facilitators have also been urged to come forward and share information with the authorities.
Police said every credible input would be verified promptly, with the safety, dignity, privacy and best interests of the children remaining the foremost priority.
The investigation and recovery operation are continuing.