‘Operation Anweshan’: Odisha Police Teams to Trace Missing Children in Delhi, Rajasthan

Cuttack: Odisha Police has launched a special inter-State drive, ‘Operation Anweshan’, to trace children from Odisha who are missing, vulnerable, exploited or staying in institutional care outside the State.

The initiative has been launched under the direction of Odisha DGP Vinaytosh Mishra, IPS, and will be closely supervised by Central Range IGP Satyajit Naik, IPS. The operation aims to strengthen coordination between Odisha Police and authorities in other States while ensuring the identification, verification, safe restoration and rehabilitation of vulnerable children.

As part of the first phase, two dedicated teams from Central Range will conduct field operations in New Delhi and Rajasthan from August 28 to September 8. The teams will work in coordination with the Crime Against Women & Children (CAW & CW) Wing of Odisha Police and police, child protection and administrative authorities in the respective States.

A DSP-rank officer will lead each team. The New Delhi team comprises personnel from Kendrapara, Cuttack, Khordha and Nayagarh districts, while the Rajasthan team includes personnel from Jajpur, Nayagarh, Khordha and the IAHTU, Puri.

During the drive, the teams will inspect Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in coordination with District Child Protection Officers (DCPOs), Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and other competent authorities. Records will be examined to identify children belonging to Odisha and verify their current status and circumstances.

The teams will also use information available on the Mission Vatsalya Portal to identify children from Odisha residing in institutional care outside the State. Necessary steps will be taken for their safe restoration to their families or for appropriate rehabilitation in accordance with the law.

Community outreach will form another key component of the operation. Police teams will coordinate with Odia associations and community representatives in Delhi and Rajasthan to gather information and leads concerning missing or vulnerable children from Odisha.

The operation will also cover labour sites and labour colonies, where teams will work with Labour Officers, DCPOs, IAHTU personnel and other agencies to identify children engaged in prohibited or vulnerable forms of labour and those at risk of trafficking, exploitation or abuse.

A daily mechanism has been established to collect and compile information generated during field operations. Team leaders will coordinate with the CAW & CW Wing to ensure that actionable information is promptly shared with the concerned authorities for further intervention.

IGP Central Range Satyajit Naik will regularly review the progress of both teams, including the number of children traced, verification status and follow-up action. District police units under the Central Range have also been directed to provide all necessary assistance and share details of relevant missing-child cases and other leads.

Through ‘Operation Anweshan’, Odisha Police aims to intensify efforts to trace children from the State who are missing or in need of care and protection outside Odisha. The drive is also intended to improve inter-State information sharing, prevent trafficking and ensure timely protection and rehabilitation of vulnerable children.

Odisha Police said it remains committed to pursuing every possible lead to ensure that vulnerable children from the State are traced and provided appropriate protection and assistance in accordance with law.