Odisha Police Rescue 1,200 Children, 6,600 Women in 2025

The Odisha Police showcased an extraordinary level of dedication and efficiency in addressing the critical issue of missing persons. Through a series of meticulously planned special drives, they successfully rescued a total of 1,209 missing children, with the majority being girls, and 6,667 women across the state. These operations not only highlighted the police force's proactive approach but also emphasized their unwavering commitment to public safety and family reunification. By coordinating statewide initiatives, Odisha Police demonstrated how focused efforts can yield significant results in combating human trafficking and related vulnerabilities.

The flagship operation, named "Operation Anweshan," took place from August 18 to 22 and stood out as a major success story. During this intensive five-day drive, authorities managed to rescue 358 children and 2,059 women from various districts. This operation involved coordinated raids, intelligence gathering, and community involvement, underscoring the police's strategic use of resources to target high-risk areas. The results from this single drive alone contributed substantially to the year's overall achievements, setting a benchmark for future interventions.

Among the districts, Puri emerged as the leader in rescues under Operation Anweshan, with 45 children and 504 women safely recovered, reflecting strong local enforcement and awareness campaigns. Bhadrak followed closely, rescuing 37 children and 318 women, while Cuttack rounded out the top performers with 21 children and 304 women saved. These district-level breakdowns illustrate the varying challenges across Odisha and how tailored strategies helped maximize impact in regions with higher incidences of missing cases.

Complementing the flagship effort were additional operations conducted earlier in the year, each building on the momentum of the previous ones. In February, 139 children and 593 women were rescued; April saw even larger numbers with 421 children and 3,073 women recovered; and May added 291 children and 942 women to the tally. Together, these drives reinforced Odisha Police's holistic approach to ensuring long-term safety, fostering community trust, and preventing future disappearances through sustained vigilance and collaboration.

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