Major Rescue Operation in Bihar Frees 115 Trafficked Children from Assam

In a remarkable rescue operation, 115 children from Assam were freed from traffickers in Bihar's Samastipur district. The operation, led by Mission Mukti Foundation with the support of the Sashastra Seema Bal and the National Human Rights Commission, uncovered a trafficking network that preyed on impoverished families. Many of the rescued individuals were minors, and authorities arrested nine suspects involved in this heinous crime. Investigations revealed that victims were lured with false job promises and subjected to exploitation. As the number of rescues increases, human rights activists emphasize the need for rehabilitation and sustained government intervention to break the cycle of exploitation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 19, 2026, 08:35 IST

Rescue Operation Details

Representational Image

Guwahati, June 19: In a significant rescue mission, 115 children, including boys and girls from Assam, were liberated from traffickers in the Samastipur district of Bihar during the early hours today.

The operation was led by Mission Mukti Foundation in partnership with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and under the oversight of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

The rescued group comprised 48 girls and 67 boys, many of whom were minors. Authorities apprehended nine suspects, revealing a well-established trafficking ring that exploited vulnerable families.

Investigations indicated that traffickers specifically targeted impoverished households near the India-Bhutan border in Tamulpur district, enticing young individuals with false promises of government employment in the Agriculture Department. Instead, they were taken to Samastipur, confined in a fraudulent call center, and subjected to various forms of exploitation.

Victims hailing from Tamulpur, Bhairabkunda, and Dimakuchi in Udalguri district, as well as Biswanath Chariali, Doomdooma, and Mangaldai, were coerced into paying 'employment fees.' Rather than receiving jobs, they endured wrongful confinement, forced labor, and coercion into dubious marketing schemes.

Alarming revelations surfaced during the investigation: victims were kept under constant surveillance, locked in rooms at night, and even their bathroom visits were monitored.

“Those who attempted to resist or return home faced threats, physical abuse, and were denied their wages. They were lured with promises of lucrative government jobs but ended up trapped in wrongful confinement or forced into network marketing. This situation is akin to modern-day slavery,” stated Virender Singh from Mission Mukti Foundation.

Some of the rescued individuals recounted their experiences as a nightmare, with many still grappling with trauma from the abuse.

Investigators suspect that minor girls and women may have been victims of sexual exploitation, with traffickers potentially retaining compromising photographs and videos to intimidate them into silence.

Officials acknowledged that Bihar has emerged as a trafficking hotspot, particularly for victims from Assam. As raids continue across Bihar and Chhattisgarh, the number of rescued individuals is steadily increasing. Human rights advocates caution that this incident is not an isolated occurrence but part of a broader crisis fueled by poverty, misinformation, and lack of awareness.

“While the rescue has provided relief to over 100 families, the real challenge lies in rehabilitation. Survivors need psychological support, education, and assistance for reintegration. Without ongoing government intervention, the cycle of exploitation will continue,” remarked a human rights activist.

The trafficking ring was dismantled after a victim girl reported the situation to Manoj Sarma of the SSB via the Assam Centre for Rural Development.

“A representative from the Rescue and Relief Foundation infiltrated the network as a decoy client, gathering crucial intelligence. Based on this information, police executed the raid at the right moment, ensuring the safe rescue of the victims and the arrest of the traffickers,” explained Sidhnat Ghosh, founder and secretary of the Rescue and Relief Foundation.