Railway cops for rescue
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Howrah South Post, under the Howrah Division of Eastern Railway, rescued 18 minor children, including seven girls and eleven boys, from a suspected human trafficking attempt at Platform No. 22 of Howrah Station on August 4.
The operation was conducted under “Operation AAHT” (Action Against Human Trafficking), a nationwide initiative to prevent and detect trafficking through networks.
RPF personnel identified suspicious movement and detained one individual who later confessed to planning to take the minors to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, allegedly to engage them in child labour.
The rescued children and the accused were handed over to the Government Police Station (GRPS), Howrah. A case has been registered under Section 143(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Eastern officials said the RPF continues to monitor for signs of trafficking, with a focus on protecting vulnerable individuals, especially women and children, in coordination with other agencies.
– Ends