Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Odisha Police Trace 101 Children Across 17 States
Odisha Police searched for children from Odisha who were missing or living away from home.
The search was called Operation Anweshan.
It took place from August 28 to September 8 across 17 states.
Police teams found 101 children, including 54 boys and 47 girls.
The youngest child was a three-month-old baby found with her minor mother in a shelter home.
Many children were located in Child Care Institutions, and seven were found at labour sites.
Eleven children had already been reported missing in Odisha.
West Bengal had the largest number of children found.
The children were returned or were being returned to Odisha so officials could check their families and help them safely rejoin their communities.
Odisha Police rescued 101 children, including 54 boys and 47 girls, during Operation Anweshan.
The special drive ran from August 28 to September 8, with 17 teams deployed across 17 states.
Eighty-three children were found in Child Care Institutions, while seven were rescued from commercial labour sites.
Eleven children linked to missing-person cases registered in Odisha were traced, including nine girls.
West Bengal had the most recoveries with 30 children; 100 were repatriated, while one fell ill during train travel.
- Who
- Odisha Police, led by Additional Director General S Shyni, traced 101 children with support from the Odisha Women and Child Development Department.
- What
- Operation Anweshan traced children outside Odisha and arranged their repatriation, reintegration and rehabilitation.
- When
- The operation took place from August 28 to September 8.
- Where
- The children were traced across 17 states, with the highest number—30—found in West Bengal.
- Why
- The campaign aimed to locate missing Odia children beyond Odisha’s borders and facilitate their safe return and rehabilitation.
- Children traced
- 101
- Gender breakdown
- 54 boys and 47 girls
- States covered
- 17
- Operation period
- August 28 to September 8
- Found in Child Care Institutions
- 83 children
- Largest recovery
- 30 children in West Bengal
- Repatriation status
- 100 children were repatriated to Odisha; one fell ill during train travel
