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This cop rescued 700 missing children
Even as the nation recently commemorated the sacrifices made by police personnel in the line of duty, the governments fail to utilise the experience of these officers involved in bringing about a change in the lives of missing children.
Even as the nation recently commemorated the sacrifices made by police personnel in the line of duty, the governments fail to utilise the experience of these officers involved in bringing about a change in the lives of missing children. Dr M Kantha Rao, DIG Warangal range, is one such officer remembered for his sustained crackdown on child traffickers at railway stations in Telangana region during his posting as SP, Government Railway Police (GRP), Secunderabad, from 2012 to 2013.
He brought energy into the otherwise dull posting by evolving a system to keep a track of anti-social elements, who scout for children at railway stations.
"We had rescued 700 missing children, scores of child labourers in two years and raided shops selling whitener to children near railway station," Dr Rao told The Hans India.
"Street children used to organise parties on the platforms in the evenings. The whitener was used as an intoxicant by inhaling it. It almost became a cottage industry for drug peddlers near the Secunderabad Railway Station," he added.
During the raids, the GRP came across children working in harsh conditions in farms and factories. They found that groups of 20 to 30 children were brought from states like Bihar to work in poultry farms.
"Children in the age group of 9-13 work 24x7 for a paltry salary of Rs 5,000 a year. They lead a pathetic life. We rescued them from several farms and factories," he informed.
Talking about the GRP initiative, Dr Rao recalled that after he realised the magnitude of the problem, he discussed the issue with a fellow officer and decided to chalk out an action plan to stop child trafficking and streamline the system. Various stakeholders such as railways, State government, institutions and NGOs were invited to attend a meeting. During the brainstorming session, it was decided that the GRP would co-ordinate with stakeholders in rescuing children.
Soon the efforts paid off as the SCR Railways won an award for saving young lives. Sadly after Dr Rao's transfer, things steered back to the worst. It is high time to create a single command to co-ordinate with various stakeholders to launch a sustained campaign against child trafficking.
