167 Muslim children rescued from Bihar–Maharashtra train:Taken to madrasa, no documents found; action after human trafficking alert

167 Muslim children were rescued from the Patna-Pune Express at Katni Railway Station late Saturday night. Following this action based on intelligence information, human trafficking is being suspected. It is suspected that these children were being taken from Bihar to Maharashtra for the purpose of making them work. Katni RPF Station In-charge Virendra Singh said that information was received that a large number of children were being taken under suspicious circumstances in the Patna-Pune Express. As soon as the train reached platform number 5 of Katni station, a joint team of RPF, GRP, Women and Child Development Department and Child Protection Officers cordoned off the area. The team safely brought down all 167 children from the bogies. Interrogation has revealed that most of the children are residents of Bihar. See pictures… Claim of taking to Latur Madrasa in Maharashtra Saddam Hussain, who was taking the children, claimed that he was taking these children to a madrasa in Latur, Maharashtra for education. However, he could not produce valid documents and permission letters for taking such a large number of children. Suspicion of labor or other illegal work According to Child Protection Officer Manish Tiwari, the department had received information that these children were being taken to Maharashtra for labor or other illegal work. Considering the seriousness of the matter, all children have been taken to the RPF police station, where they are being counseled. The Women and Child Development Department team is verifying the documents of the children’s relatives and their residential addresses. People traveling with the children are being interrogated to clarify who is the actual operator of this group. The district administration is investigating every aspect, especially keeping in mind the suspicion of human trafficking. RPF TI said, ‘Children will be kept under surveillance for now’ Katni RPF station in-charge Virendra Singh said that the safety of children is our priority. Until contact is made with every child’s guardian and a concrete reason for the children’s transfer is clarified, they will be kept under administration’s surveillance. Action will be taken if any kind of irregularity is found.