Arunachal pradesh Police are following a suspected money trail involving payments allegedly ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 per child, while statements of rescued children have been recorded before a magistrate.
BY PC Bureau
September 27: What began with the rescue of 19 children in August has now expanded into a multi-district and inter-state investigation, with Arunachal Pradesh Police tracing or rescuing 51 people, including 47 children, and arresting five alleged facilitators in a suspected child trafficking and illegal-placement network.
The latest development came with the arrest of Ema Loyi, a resident of Kaba village in Namsai, police said on Sunday. Investigators are now examining the alleged chain linking vulnerable families and guardians to intermediaries and the eventual recipients of the children, while following a suspected money trail.
Namsai Superintendent of Police Sangey Thinley said the number of people traced or rescued had risen in successive stages — from 19 in the initial operation to 38 and now 51 — following sustained field verification and coordinated operations across districts and states.
Of the 51 people, 47 are children and four are adults, police said.
The case was registered at Namsai police station on August 17 after the District Child Welfare Committee complained of the alleged illegal procurement and placement of children from economically vulnerable families.
The investigation is being led by Namsai Deputy Superintendent of Police Kengo Dirchi, in coordination with the District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee, Child Helpline and other child-protection agencies.
Police said statements of rescued children connected with the accused have been recorded before a magistrate under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
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Investigation moves to money trail
Investigators are now examining financial transactions to determine whether and how money changed hands and to establish the individual roles of those allegedly involved.
Police had earlier detected transactions ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 per child involving intermediaries and parents or guardians.
According to the preliminary investigation, vulnerable families were allegedly approached with promises of better education, care and upbringing for their children. Some of the rescued children were subsequently found allegedly working as domestic help or in hotels.
Police are now attempting to establish the complete chain — from the families from whom the children were allegedly taken or placed, to intermediaries involved in their movement and the persons with whom they ultimately ended up.
The investigators have not yet disclosed the total value of the suspected transactions or the full number of people under investigation.
Rescue operation expanded across Arunachal, Assam
The first major operation resulted in the rescue of 19 children, most of them below eight years of age, from locations including Mechuka, Aalo, Pasighat, Naharlagun, Itanagar and Longding.
Three alleged female facilitators were arrested during that phase.
As investigators followed further leads, the number rose to 38 people — 34 children and four adults. A fourth alleged facilitator was subsequently arrested for allegedly transporting and placing victims.
The latest operation has increased the number to 51 and resulted in the arrest of Loyi, police said.
The identities and personal details of the minors are being withheld to protect their privacy and dignity.
Police said further operations were continuing to locate any remaining victims and determine the extent of the alleged network.
The investigation is also examining the circumstances in which each child was moved or placed and the role of individual parents, guardians, intermediaries and alleged recipients.
With the recovery of 47 children and the arrest of five alleged facilitators, investigators are now attempting to determine whether the case represents a limited series of illegal placements or a wider organised network operating across state borders.
