Inter-state child trafficking racket busted; two minors rescued in Kullu

According to officials, the children had been brought from Jharkhand and were found working in Kullu. Their mobile phones were allegedly confiscated to prevent contact with their families. Disturbingly, their parents were unaware of their whereabouts and did not know who had taken them away.

The case first came to light in Jharkhand after a social worker received information about missing children. Suspicion fell on a woman from the same state, following which the matter was referred to the CWC in Himachal Pradesh. Acting on the complaint, the CWC chairperson alerted the police, triggering an investigation.

During the probe, the police traced two of the trafficked children to Kullu. Investigators also found that the accused woman had allegedly brought five minor children from Jharkhand. During questioning, she reportedly named two associates — one from Jharkhand and another from the Jahu area of Hamirpur.

The accused, identified as Dulari Devi, a resident of Jharkhand, has been taken into police custody. A case has been registered at the Women Police Station in Hamirpur under relevant provisions related to human trafficking and child labour. The complaint was initially received by Childline Hamirpur, which informed the CWC and the Superintendent of Police, leading to swift action.

Police said investigations are ongoing to trace the remaining children and dismantle the wider trafficking network. The case has raised serious concerns over inter-state child trafficking and exploitation, underlining the need for stricter monitoring and coordinated enforcement to protect vulnerable children.