644 women and 348 children among 1,305 humans trafficked in Odisha: CM in Assembly

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday that 1,305 people have been victims of human trafficking in the State. The disturbing data was presented in response to a question raised by Congress MLA Sofia Firdous.

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According to the figures shared, quoting the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 644 of the trafficked individuals are women, while 348 victims are minors below 18 years of age. The Chief Minister further stated that investigation has been completed in 74 cases, and charge sheets have been filed in 64 cases so far.

The government also reported that 1,209 children have gone missing during the period under review. Among them, 131 are boys, and 1,078 are girls, highlighting a troubling trend in the vulnerability of young girls to disappearance and potential exploitation.

CM Majhi assured the House that efforts are underway to intensify probes, strengthen anti-trafficking mechanisms, and enhance child rescue operations across the State.

Some important steps taken to strengthen anti-trafficking enforcement are:

1. Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking Units (IHATUS) have been established in every district to address the problems of missing children and human trafficking. At present, 37 IHATUS are operational in all the 36 police districts and one at CAW&CW PS of the State.

2. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) vide letter No 15643/CID-IAHTU, dated 03.06.2025, formulated by the NCPCR, Govt. of India, New Delhi, in case of rescue and post-rescue of Child Labour has been issued to all district SsP, DCsP Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, SsRP Cuttack and Rourkela.

3. Combating organised crime like human trafficking requires a comprehensive approach to trace the origin, transit, and destination of the offence. In order to prepare a systematic database of traffickers, Police Circular order No.-01/2022 has been issued by the CAW&CW regarding preparation of the format of interrogation report for persons arrested in Human Trafficking cases. SsP/ DCsP have been advised to instruct the field functionaries probing trafficking cases to prepare an Interrogation Report of traffickers arrested in different cases.

4. The trafficking cases in the districts are being monitored by IAHTU.

5. All police stations and IAHTUs have been directed to sincerely investigate the trafficking cases and take follow-up action for the arrest of accused persons.