Sasaram, Bihar, November 27, 2025 – In a major crackdown on human trafficking, Bihar police rescued 17 minor girlsfrom the states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh during a raid in Bardihan village in Rohtas district late on Wednesday night. The operation also led to the arrest of three individuals suspected to be part of a trafficking network that lured minors under the pretext of employment and allegedly forced them into bonded labor and sexual exploitation.

The Rescue Operation

The police operation was carried out after intelligence reports indicated that teenage girls were being brought into Bardihan from neighboring states under false promises of work. The girls were reportedly coerced into trafficking networks and forced to perform labor and other activities against their will.

The raid was conducted by teams from five police stations, led by Bikramganj Additional Superintendent of Police Saket Kumar, who coordinated the effort to dismantle the trafficking operation. Police officials said that upon reaching the location, they found the minor girls in vulnerable conditions and immediately took them into protective custody.

According to Superintendent of Police Rohtas, Raushan Kumar, the rescued girls were handed over to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) at Sasaram. The authorities also informed the concerned state governments to ensure the safe repatriation and rehabilitation of the rescued minors to their home states.

Arrests Made

The three people arrested in connection with the trafficking ring have been identified as Mamta Vishwakarma and Gita Kunwar from Bardihan village, and Raman Kumar Paswan alias Munna from Ballia. During police interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to luring minor girls from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, exploiting them for labor and other illicit activities.

The police have registered cases under multiple legal provisions, including:

• Relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
• The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act
• The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act
• The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act

In addition to the three arrests, police are continuing raids to apprehend five other accused operators and approximately 15–20 of their associates who are believed to be part of the criminal network.

Immediate Steps for the Rescued Girls

Following their rescue, the minor girls were moved to a children’s home in Mohania, located in Kaimur district, where they are receiving care and support. Authorities have also engaged with the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to take necessary measures aimed at curbing such inhuman practices and ensuring that the victims are rehabilitated safely.

CWC member Dadan Pandey emphasized that this operation is part of an ongoing effort to dismantle trafficking networks in Bihar, particularly those that target vulnerable tribal and minor populations from other states.

Context: A Persistent Issue

The case in Rohtas is not isolated. Human trafficking continues to be a significant challenge in India, particularly affecting minors from tribal and rural backgrounds. Children are often lured with promises of education, employment, or better living conditions, only to be trapped in exploitative labor or sexual abuse networks.

Earlier this year, in March 2025, a similar operation led to the rescue of 47 minor tribal children, including 44 girls, from Chhattisgarh during raids in Natwar. In that case, the Chhattisgarh authorities intervened to rehabilitate the children and return them safely to their home states. Such incidents underline the continuing need for vigilant monitoring and coordinated action among state police, child welfare authorities, and national commissions.

Law Enforcement and Future Actions

The Rohtas police have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with a focus on dismantling the entire network involved in trafficking and bonded labor. The criminal histories of the arrested individuals are being scrutinized, and authorities are working to identify additional members of the ring.

The operation reflects a growing effort to ensure inter-state coordination, as trafficking rings often operate across state lines, exploiting jurisdictional loopholes. The collaboration between Bihar police, CWC, and the NCPCR in this case is being seen as a model for proactive action against child trafficking.

Community and Government Response

Local authorities and child rights advocates have welcomed the rescue operation, highlighting the importance of public vigilance and timely reporting of suspicious activities. Community awareness campaigns, coupled with strict enforcement of child protection laws, are viewed as critical in preventing such incidents in the future.

The case also sends a strong message to traffickers that inter-state trafficking of minors will be met with severe legal consequences under multiple statutes, including stringent provisions for sexual exploitation and bonded labor.

Conclusion

The rescue of 17 minor girls in Bardihan village highlights the continuing threat of trafficking targeting vulnerable populations from neighboring states. While arrests have been made and the victims placed in protective custody, authorities stress that sustained vigilance and inter-state cooperation are essential to prevent recurrence.

The efforts of the Rohtas police, working in coordination with the Child Welfare Committee and the NCPCR, exemplify the steps needed to protect children from exploitation and ensure that traffickers face the full force of the law. As investigations continue, authorities are hopeful of apprehending the remaining suspects and dismantling the entire trafficking network, thereby sending a strong deterrent message against such inhuman practices.

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