Bhubaneswar: The Odisha police will conduct a special drive from May 21 to 30 to trace and rescue children from Odisha who are believed to be languishing in other states. The crime against women and children wing (CAW&CW) of the state crime branch has issued a detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) to ensure smooth implementation of the operation.
Operation Plan and State Assignments
Under the plan, each police range has been assigned two states for the operation. The eastern range will cover West Bengal and Assam, the central range will tour New Delhi and Rajasthan, the north-central range will visit Jharkhand and Bihar, the northern range will cover Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, the western range will focus on Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, the south-western range will cover Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the southern range will cover Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, while the commissionerate police will focus on Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Background and Challenges
Investigations into several missing child cases reveal that many children often migrate outside Odisha, where they are engaged in labour at construction sites, hotels, and restaurants, or employed as domestic helps in residential areas. “However, officers face challenges due to lack of leads or delays in pursuing cases across jurisdictions. Many rescued minors remain in child care institutes of other states for extended periods without being reunited with their families,” a senior police officer said.
Team Composition and Coordination
Each range team will comprise 11 members, led by an assistant superintendent of police (ASP) and including two deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), inspectors, sub-inspectors/assistant sub-inspectors, and four constables. Teams will be split into two groups, each with at least two female officers, to visit destination states. “We have requested the women and child development department to nominate two representatives, preferably district child protection officers, to accompany each range team,” the police officer added.
Data Compilation and Verification
The CAW&CW will compile data on untraced children and share it with the teams. Officers will verify child care institutes, check the Mission Vatsalya portal for institutionalized Odia children, and coordinate with child welfare committees. They will also liaise with Odia associations in destination states, labour officers, and district child protection officers to gather intelligence, including visits to labour colonies.
Monitoring and Reporting
Range inspectors general of police (IGPs) and deputy inspectors general of police (DIGs) have been advised to brief teams three days before departure, monitor progress daily, and submit consolidated reports by June 5 after the operation concludes.
