19 children rescued, youngest just 3: Arunachal police uncover suspected trafficking network

Three people have been arrested in Arunachal Pradesh in connection with a suspected inter-district child trafficking and exploitation network, police said on Tuesday. Namsai police have so far rescued 19 children from different parts of the state, with the youngest reportedly around three years old.

Those arrested are Gumnya Kochung, Marta Ete and Neha Gerory, who allegedly acted as facilitators or brokers in the network.

19 children rescued from across state

The children were traced and rescued from Mechuka, Aalo, Pasighat, Naharlagun, Itanagar and Longding. Police said most of them are below eight years old, with some allegedly being engaged as domestic help and in hotel work.

“A majority of the recovered children are below eight years of age. During preliminary interaction, some of them could not even recall their parents’ names or basic details about their families,” Namsai SDPO Kengo Dirchi, the investigating officer, told Hindustan Times.

Police said the operation is continuing as teams look for other children who may have been moved or placed under similar circumstances.

“We have so far recovered 19 children from different locations across the state. The operation is still continuing and our teams are working to trace other children who may have been taken or placed under similar circumstances,” Dirchi said.

Families allegedly promised better future

According to investigators, the accused allegedly approached economically vulnerable families with promises of better education, care and upbringing for their children.

The children were then allegedly taken from their families, transported to other locations and placed with different people, police said.

Investigators have also found monetary transactions of between ₹10,000 and ₹50,000 per child in some cases.

“There are suspected instances where some parents or guardians may also have received monetary consideration for handing over their children. However, the circumstances and individual roles of every person involved are being independently investigated,” Dirchi said.

SIT probes financial and digital trail

The case was registered at Namsai police station on August 17 following a complaint by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Namsai.

The rescued children underwent medical examinations and child-protection procedures before being produced before the competent CWC. Their statements were also recorded before a magistrate.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under Namsai superintendent of police Sangey Thinley, with deputy SP (headquarters) Martin Ratan assisting the probe.

The SIT is examining financial transactions, call records, digital evidence and the children's movements to establish the alleged chain of people involved.

“The recovery of 19 children is not the end of the operation,” Dirchi said, adding that the investigation was continuing.