Argus News - Breaking News: Berhampur Police Rescue Nine Minors, Arrest Five in Begging Racket

Berhampur, Mar 5: In a major crackdown on child exploitation in Odisha, Berhampur Police on Thursday rescued nine minors and arrested five persons for allegedly forcing children into begging at busy traffic junctions in the city. The arrests were made under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Juvenile Justice Act provisions, police said.

According to police, the accused transported children in auto-rickshaws to PVN Rao Chhak, where they were forced to beg under the watch of adults. After gathering evidence, the police detained the accused along with the juveniles. The rescued children included a 12-year-old girl, an 8-year-old boy, a 7-year-old girl, a 5-year-old boy, two 2.5-year-olds, a 4-year-old boy, another 7-year-old boy, and a 4-month-old baby.

The accused — identified as Mani Sindhe (65), Ajaya Kajri Sindhe (30), Rani Sindhe (30), Puja Power (20), and Sita Power (40) — were residing under a flyover near Platform 4 of Berhampur railway station. Police said they failed to produce valid identity documents or proof of relation to the children. Their identities are under verification, and they were conversant in Hindi.

Investigations revealed that the accused routinely brought children to major traffic posts in Berhampur, compelled them to beg, and later collected the money. The rescued minors were handed over to child welfare authorities for rehabilitation. The accused were arrested on March 4 and forwarded to court.

Also Read: Woman Killed after Employer’s Car Hits Her on Holi

A case was registered under Sections 143(5), 139(3), 3(5) BNS read with Section 76 of the Juvenile Justice Act. The operation was led by the Town SDPO with support from officers of the Town Subdivision, District Child Protection Unit, and Child Welfare Committee.

Police emphasized that strict legal action would be taken against those exploiting minors, and surveillance against such rackets will continue across the city.