Patna: Bihar Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar on Thursday announced that Anti-Trafficking Units (ATUs) will be established in every women’s police station across the state as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against human trafficking. The announcement was made during a programme at the Police Headquarters to mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
The event, organised by the CID’s Weaker Section under the theme “Trapped Behind the Scam”, focused on strengthening investigations, victim rescue and prosecution in trafficking cases.
DGP Calls for Dedicated Anti-Trafficking Units
Addressing the gathering, Vinay Kumar said the number of registered human trafficking cases in Bihar is three times higher than cybercrime cases, describing trafficking as a rapidly growing and “silent crime”.
He directed the CID’s Weaker Section to prepare a proposal for setting up specialised Anti-Trafficking Units in every women’s police station.
According to the proposal, each women’s police station will have two dedicated units—one to investigate human trafficking cases and another to deal with crimes against women and children. Both units will be headed by officers of the Inspector rank, while the police station will be led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP).
Missing Child Cases to Be Shifted After Three Months
The DGP directed that cases involving missing children that remain unresolved for three months should be transferred to the Anti-Trafficking Unit for further investigation.
He said cases involving missing women and children should receive the highest priority, urging officers to adopt a victim-centred approach and pursue investigations until traffickers are prosecuted and convicted.
Rising Cases Raise Concern
According to the DGP, registered kidnapping cases in Bihar increased from around 8,000 in 2020 to more than 24,000 in 2025.
While the overall recovery rate is around 70 per cent, he said the recovery rate for women and children trafficked remains significantly lower, making stronger intervention necessary.
He also said details of such cases must be uploaded to the Vatsalya Portal, developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, to improve coordination in tracing missing children.
Vatsalya Portal Integrated Across Bihar
Additional Director General (CID, Weaker Section) K.S. Anupam said around 1,200 police stations in Bihar have been integrated with the Vatsalya Portal.
She said uploading details of missing children has been made mandatory, with records of more than 10,000 children already available on the platform.
Anupam also said recent anti-trafficking operations in Samastipur, Motihari and other districts led to the rescue of several women and children. Under Operation Naya Savera 3.0, 88 human traffickers have been convicted so far.
She also announced that the Police Abhaya Brigade will be featured in this year’s Independence Day parade tableau.
Districts and Officials Honoured
During the programme, the DGP honoured police teams for their performance under Operation Naya Savera 3.0.
According to Bihar Police:
Patna secured the first position for arresting 56 alleged human traffickers.
Saharsa ranked second in arrests.
Kishanganj secured the top position for rescuing minors and women.
Sitamarhi ranked second in rescue operations.
Bagaha Judge Manvendra Kumar Mishra, SDPO Kumar Dayendra and Additional Public Prosecutor Jitendra Kumar Bharti were also honoured for completing the trial of two trafficking cases within 34 days, leading to convictions.
