In a commendable display of swift action, the Siang District Police of Arunachal Pradesh have successfully rescued two minor girls, aged 15 and 17, who were trafficked to Raipur, Chhattisgarh, under the guise of lucrative job prospects. The alleged perpetrator, 21-year-old Mughaka Awomi from Dimapur, Nagaland, has been apprehended, accused of orchestrating the elaborate scheme through deceptive social media interactions.
The alarming incident first surfaced on June 10 when Obuk Jerang, the father of one of the victims, lodged a missing person report at the Boleng Police Station. Following the registration of case number BLG/PS/Case No. 20/25, authorities promptly reclassified the investigation as a human trafficking case, invoking the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Leveraging advanced technical surveillance, the police meticulously tracked the girls’ whereabouts to Raipur, where they were discovered abandoned and devoid of the promised employment. A meticulously coordinated rescue operation with the Vidhan Sabha Police Station in Raipur culminated in their safe recovery on June 15. The rescued minors were temporarily accommodated at Sakhi Saheli, a government-run shelter home, before their eventual repatriation to Boleng.
A dedicated police team, spearheaded by SI Tanu Padung, and comprising ASI Limi Karga, Constable Prince Kumar Singh, and Lady Constable Pekgam Nyorak, safely escorted the victims back on June 20, after securing transit remand from the Raipur court. Upon their return, the girls underwent essential medical examinations and received crucial psychological support facilitated by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Siang.
Initial investigations have shed light on Awomi’s modus operandi; working as a cook in Raipur, he allegedly exploited social media platforms to target the minors, enticing them with fabricated job offers. Officials are now probing potential connections to a wider trafficking network, with further investigations actively underway.
SP JK Lego, flanked by DySP Sange Tenzin and DySP Togum Gongo, lauded the unwavering dedication and promptness of the police team. They further issued a crucial advisory to parents, urging them to diligently monitor their children’s online engagements and to actively raise awareness about the pervasive risks of social media exploitation.
This successful rescue operation underscores the escalating threat posed by digital trafficking tactics and highlights the indispensable role of community vigilance coupled with seamless inter-state cooperation in safeguarding the nation’s vulnerable youth.
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