In a major crackdown on human trafficking, timely intimation by Bachpan Bachao Andolan’s Intelligence Unit to law enforcement agencies concerned led to the rescue of 25 children being trafficked from Katihar in Bihar to Ludhiana in Punjab from a train.

The children were rescued by a joint team of Haryana Police’s Crime Branch (Ambala and Panchkula units), Railway Protection Force and child welfare council in Ambala following a raid on New Jalpaiguri-Amristsar Karmabhoomi Express as it pulled over for a stop at Ambala Cantt station. Following BBA’s strategic input, 22 teams spread out across seven coaches of the train.

The children were travelling without their parents and had little or no information as to who was accompanying them. Police informed that they were being trafficked to Punjab to work as child labourers.

The children are being lodged in child care home for the moment and their details are being verified. Their medical examination and counselling is alos being conducted and details about the

traffickers are also being gathered.

Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police, Crime Branch, Ambala, Rajesh Kumar told news agency PTI that once the identity of the children are ascertained their parents will be informed. Further investigation into the matter is underway, he said.