19 trafficked children rescued in Arunachal; three women arrested

The children, aged less than 8 years, were allegedly lured from their parents with the promise of better education and care, but were engaged as domestic help and in hotel-related chores

Updated - August 25, 2026 06:23 pm IST - Guwahati

The police said an amount between ₹10,000 and ₹50,000 was paid for each child.

The police in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namsai district have rescued 19 children from different locations across the State and arrested three women allegedly involved in their trafficking, police said on Tuesday (August 25, 2026).

Sangey Thinley, the district’s Superintendent of Police, said an investigation into a child-trafficking network was launched after a case was registered on August 17 based on a complaint lodged by the Namsai unit of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted for the case traced the children to Mechukha in Shi-Yomi district, Aalo in West Siang district, Pasighat in East Siang district, Longding, and the State’s twin capitals, Itanagar and Naharlagun.

The team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Kengo Dirchi, arrested Gumnya Kochung, Marta Ete, and Neha Gerory for their alleged roles as facilitators or brokers for people seeking children to work as domestic help or in hotels and restaurants.

“What is disconcerting is that the rescued children are reportedly below eight years of age. During preliminary interaction, some were unable to recall their parents’ names or basic details of their families. The youngest child identified was about three years old at the time of ‘procurement or placement’,” Mr. Thinley said.

According to a statement from the Namsai police, preliminary investigation indicated that economically vulnerable families were allegedly approached with assurances of better education, care, and upbringing for their children. “The children were thereafter allegedly procured, transported, and placed with different persons at distant locations,” it read.

The police said an amount between ₹10,000 and ₹50,000 was paid for each child. The probe revealed instances in which parents or guardians of children received money.

“The circumstances and individual roles of all persons concerned are being independently investigated,” the police said.

The police further said the 19 rescued children were produced before the CWC in the respective districts after necessary medical examinations and child-protection procedures. “Their statements are also being recorded before the magistrates in accordance with law, following a child-friendly and sensitive process,” it said.

The SIT is also examining financial transactions, call records, digital evidence, the movement of the children, and links among alleged facilitators, receivers, and other persons to establish the complete chain and individual roles based on the evidence collected.

Published - August 25, 2026 06:22 pm IST

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