Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police have rescued 1296 children during two special drives launched this year.Official sources here said Police have rescued 894 children in a special drive launched from January 18 to 25 last and 404 children in another special drive launched from February 28 to March 8 last.During the first eight days, long special drive 894 children including 94 boys and 800 girls were rescued.During Special drive-II launched from February 28 to March 8 last, 404 children including 82 boys and 322 girls were rescued.To ensure the safety of children exclusively to deal with the issues of missing/trafficking of children in the state, 37 Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) have been established in all 36 Police districts and at CID-CB, Odisha. A sum of Rs 3.99 crores have been received for setting up and strengthening Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) throughout the State.Mahila and Shishu Desks (Women and Child Desk) have also been set up in 537 Police Stations of the State to receive complaints relating to children, listen to their grievances with sympathy and ensure proper legal action. The Odisha Government has notified that Police Officers posted to Mahila and Shishu Desk are designated as Juvenile Welfare Officers as per provision of Section 107(1) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015.A sum of Rs 5 crores have been received for strengthening Mahila and Shishu Desk in 500 Police stations throughout the State.A Web Portal “track child” has been made functional from January 31, 2013, for tracing of missing children. Photograph and particulars of both missing and recovered children are regularly uploaded on this portal from all the Districts.Regular video conferences are being conducted by DGP, Odisha and ADGP, CID/Crime, Odisha on the issues of missing/trafficked children and instructions have been given to take effective measures to prevent trafficking/ missing children.The State Government has constituted the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) in every Police district to coordinate all issues related to children.
Police Circular Order has been issued for registration of cases on all reports of missing children without any deviation.