NAMSAI, AUG 24:
Namsai Police have recovered 19 children from different locations across Arunachal Pradesh and arrested three alleged facilitators in an ongoing investigation into a suspected child trafficking and exploitation network.
The children were recovered from Mechuka, Aalo, Pasighat, Naharlagun, Itanagar and Longding. 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 APPS, assisted by DySP (HQ) Martin Ratan. Namsai SDPO DySP Kengo Dirchi is the Investigating Officer. The SIT includes Namsai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Inspector T Gadi, SI R. Kahik and other police personnel.
Police have arrested Gumnya Kochung, Marta Ete and Neha Gerory for their alleged roles as facilitators or brokers.
Preliminary investigation indicates 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.
In some cases, suspected monetary transactions ranging from approximately Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 per child have emerged. Police are also examining alleged instances in which 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 majority of the children are reportedly below eight years of age, with the youngest reportedly around three years old at the time of procurement or placement.
During preliminary interaction, some children were unable to recall even their parents’ names or basic family details.
Following their recovery, the children underwent necessary medical examinations and child-protection procedures before being produced before the competent CWC. Their statements are also being recorded before the Magistrate in accordance with law through a child-friendly and sensitive process.
Police said the identities, photographs and other particulars that could reveal the children’s identities are being strictly protected as required under law.
The SIT is examining financial transactions, call records, digital evidence and the movement of the children to establish the complete chain and determine the individual roles of alleged facilitators, recipients and others involved.
The recovery of 19 children is not the conclusion of the operation, police said, adding that teams are continuing efforts to trace and recover more children and identify other persons linked to the suspected network.
Namsai Police have appealed to anyone having information about children who may have been taken, procured, transported or placed with others under similar circumstances to approach the nearest police station or CWC. Parents and guardians who may have handed over their children through intermediaries or facilitators have also been urged to come forward and share information.
Police said all credible inputs would be verified promptly, with the safety, dignity, privacy and best interests of the children remaining the foremost priority.
