Maharashtra: One held in a suspected case of child trafficking, 16 kids rescued

Patna: One person was arrested from Patna Junction today in a suspected case of child trafficking and 16 children, in the age group of 10-12 years, were rescued while they were being taken to Maharashtra.

"We were approached by the Kotwali police station that they had information about some children being taken outside the state for being employed as child labour. We conducted a raid on Bhagalpur-
Dadar Express and rescued the children," Pramod Kumar, Inspector in-charge of GRP police station, said.

One person, who was escorting the minors, was arrested, he said.

"The arrested person claimed that he was associated with a Madarsa in Maharashtra and that he was taking these children, all of whom hailed from Purnea district, so that they could study at the seminary there," he added.

The arrested person has been taken to the Kotwali police station where he is being interrogated and claims made by him are being investigated, he said.

The children have been handed over to the child helpline. Further action will be taken depending upon the veracity of the claims made by the arrested person, he added.