Rail Rescue: Trafficking Thwarted on Jharkhand Train

Thirteen children were rescued from the Vasco da Gama Express in Jharkhand as they were allegedly being trafficked to Goa. Swift action by the RPF at Muri and Ranchi stations led to their rescue. In another incident, three tribal boys were saved from trafficking to Agartala.

In a significant rescue operation on a Jharkhand train, thirteen children, including one girl, were intercepted and saved from an alleged trafficking attempt to Goa, officials revealed on Tuesday.

On receiving intelligence inputs about potential child trafficking via the Vasco da Gama (VSG) Weekly Express, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) acted promptly on Monday evening. They boarded the train at Muri station to monitor the situation before successfully rescuing the children when the train reached Ranchi station.

The children, aged between 12 and 17, appeared unaware of the reasons behind their journey to Goa. They indicated vaguely that work awaited them there. Meanwhile, in a separate operation, RPF officials also rescued three tribal boys, part of the Asur tribe, trafficked to Agartala for labor. A suspect, Jagatpal Oraon, who allegedly received Rs 5,000 for arranging the transportation, has been apprehended.

(With inputs from agencies.)