Railway Protection Force officers and Ruchika Social Service Organisation rescued five minors from a moving train near Bhubaneswar on March 21.
The joint operation stopped a trafficking attempt that aimed to transport children from Bihar to Bengaluru for forced labour.
The rescue team acted on a tip-off and boarded the train between Bhubaneswar and Khordha. They intervened quickly and removed the children from the contractor who tried to move them for construction work. The minors, all residents of Bihar, faced exploitation in Bengaluru if the plan succeeded.
After the rescue, Ruchika Social Service Organisation presented the children before the Khordha District Child Welfare Committee. The committee began procedures to ensure medical care, legal protection, and safe shelter. Officials also initiated steps to contact the families of the minors.
Authorities launched an investigation to identify and arrest the contractor involved. They also started probing whether a larger trafficking network operated behind the incident. Railway Protection Force officers emphasised that inter-state child trafficking remains a serious concern and promised stronger operations against such crimes.
This incident highlighted the ongoing challenge of child trafficking and child labour across India. Citizens and activists stressed the importance of cooperation between social organisations and law enforcement agencies. The rescue of five minors demonstrated how coordinated action can save vulnerable lives and disrupt trafficking networks.
