Ranchi Police Smash Major Child Kidnapping Network
Ranchi police have achieved a significant breakthrough in combating child trafficking. Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan announced on Sunday that authorities rescued twelve kidnapped children from an inter-state gang. Police also arrested thirteen members of this criminal network in coordinated operations across Jharkhand.
Children Rescued from Multiple Locations
The rescue operations unfolded between January 15 and 17. Police teams recovered children from three different locations: Silli in Ranchi district, Kothar in Ramgarh district, and Bariyatu in Latehar district. The rescued children range in age from four to twelve years old.
SSP Ranjan provided disturbing details about the gang's operations. "During interrogation, the arrested couple revealed that an organized gang specifically targeted children from economically weaker sections," he stated. "They used these children for begging, pick-pocketing, trafficking, and even flesh trade."
Breakthrough in Sibling Kidnapping Case
The investigation gained momentum during the probe into the kidnapping of two siblings. Ansh and Anshika were abducted from Ranchi's Dhurwa area on January 2. Police successfully rescued them from Ramgarh district on January 14, arresting a couple in connection with this crime.
Police disclosed that the kidnappers intended to sell Ansh and Anshika on January 7 or 8. However, the buyer failed to appear due to increased security measures surrounding the missing children. This delay ultimately helped investigators track down the perpetrators.
Wide-Ranging Criminal Operations
The gang's criminal activities extended beyond Jharkhand's borders. Police confirmed that gang members committed similar crimes in neighboring states including West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.
Among the rescued children, investigators found victims kidnapped from various locations over several years:
- Two boys taken from Ranchi's Khagahdha bus stand two years ago
- A girl abducted from Sambalpur railway station in Odisha three years ago
- Five girls kidnapped from Bariatu in Latehar three years ago
- Two girls taken from Dhanbad three years ago
- One girl abducted from Lohardaga three years ago
- One girl kidnapped from Jagarnathpur in Ranchi a year ago
Challenges in Identification and Ongoing Investigation
Most rescued children were kidnapped at very young ages. This presents a significant challenge as many cannot describe the crimes committed against them or identify their parents. The district administration has pledged full support, providing all necessary facilities until authorities can establish the children's identities and reunite them with families.
Police emphasized that their investigation continues. Some kidnapped children were reportedly sold and remain with buyers in West Bengal and Aurangabad in Bihar. Authorities are working to locate and rescue these additional victims.
Arrested Gang Members Identified
Police have identified all thirteen individuals arrested in the multiple operations:
- Virodhi Kherwar and his wife Chandini Devi
- Sanyasi Kherwar
- Anthony Kherwar
- Malin Devi (all from Ramgarh)
- Pramod Kumar
- Ashiq Gope and his wife Baby Devi (from Ranchi)
- Raj Ravani
- Sita Devi
- Dinoo Bhuiyyan
- Uppaiya Kherwar and his wife Sonia Devi (from Latehar)
Additionally, Soni Kumari of Ramgarh and her husband Nav Kherwar from Purulia in West Bengal were arrested earlier in connection with the Ansh and Anshika kidnapping case.
Police continue searching for Kanhaiya Kumar, a twelve-year-old boy who went missing from Ormanjhi block in November last year. Investigators hope the ongoing probe will provide leads to his whereabouts.
