Raipur: The Chhattisgarh police successfully traced a total of 4,056 missing individuals, including 545 children, during a month-long special drive named 'Operation Talash' conducted across the state from April 1 to April 30. The campaign was launched on the directives of Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Dev Gautam, with a focus on locating missing persons through specialized police teams formed in every district.
Police headquarters issued comprehensive guidelines to Superintendents of Police (SPs) and nodal officers, who led intensive searches at all possible locations. According to police headquarters, the traced individuals comprised 75 boys, 470 girls, 972 men, and 2,539 women. A significant achievement of the drive was the recovery of 182 missing persons from other states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh.
District-Wise Performance
Among the districts, Durg recorded the highest number of traced missing persons at 683, followed by Bilaspur with 648 and Raipur with 426. Police officials stated that all rescued children, women, and men were reunited with their families after following due procedures. Officials emphasized that the campaign reflects the force's sensitivity, accountability, and commitment to public trust.
Operational Details
The special drive involved meticulous planning and execution. Police teams worked round-the-clock, leveraging local intelligence and coordination with other state police departments. The operation not only helped in tracing missing persons but also in identifying and dismantling networks involved in human trafficking and illegal confinement.
DGP Arun Dev Gautam praised the efforts of the police personnel and reiterated the department's dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens. He stated that such drives would continue in the future to maintain public trust and address the issue of missing persons effectively.
The success of Operation Talash has been widely appreciated by the public and civil society organizations, who have called for similar drives in other states. The Chhattisgarh police have set a benchmark in law enforcement, demonstrating that with proper strategy and commitment, even complex cases of missing persons can be resolved.
