Medical police arrest 11 traffickers and save 11 children in six days

Hyderabad: The Medipally police of Rachakonda police station not only tracked down and arrested 11 notorious human traffickers from an inter-state gang, but also rescued 11 babies from their clutches in a meticulous six-day operation. This has exposed a massive trafficking scheme where children are stolen and sold to childless couples across India.

Police officials revealed that the interstate human trafficking gang sold 50 babies to different couples. However, departmental sources said that more than 50 other traffickers from six states were operating in Telangana districts in coordination with those who were arrested. They allegedly sold over 80 babies to couples from Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Haryana, AP and Karnataka, outside Telangana.

Based on the confessions of the arrested traffickers, the police identified more than 40 traffickers with criminal backgrounds. They stole and sold more than 80 babies to childless couples. Each child is sold at prices varying between Rs five lakh and Rs eight lakh, reliable police sources said.

“We have identified the names of several traffickers. This will be a major step forward in exposing the horrific human trafficking in the state, according to an official police website.

This latest rescue operation was carried out in Narayanpet, Vijayawada and Mahabubnagar districts.

Meanwhile, at a review meeting of Rachakonda special team chiefs here on Wednesday, additional special teams were formed based on the information provided by the 13 Medipally police officers.

The new teams, made up of female police officers, were tasked with tactfully rescuing other babies first while ensuring that traffickers do not harm the children they hold captive, sources said.

On May 22, Medipally Police and Arun Jyoti Foundation rescued a toddler and arrested Aitka Shoba Rani (46) in Peerzadiguda, leading to the arrest of her associates Chinta Swapna, Raju and Saleem Pasha in a few hours, including from Vijayawada, Narasaraopet, Mahabubnagar and Pune. By May 28, police had rescued 11 babies, an officer said.

“Very soon, our teams, spread across different states, will intensify their efforts and unravel this sensational affair. All culprits would be arrested,” he said.

Meanwhile, several parents from districts whose babies went missing, gathered at the Medipally police station on Wednesday with pictures of the children appealing to the police to find their children. The lucky ones, whose children were returned to them, demanded strict measures against all traffickers.