Bhubaneswar: The number of missing children rescued in Odisha this year has surpassed the number reported missing, showing a turnaround in recovery efforts.Between Jan and June, 4,873 children (538 boys, 4,334 girls and one transgender child), mostly aged 14–18, were reported missing across the state. During the same period, police traced 5,413 children, including 4,674 girls. Officials clarified that the rescued tally includes those missing in the current year as well as earlier cases.Sources said most children had eloped or left home seeking work in hotels, restaurants, factories and brick kilns. Puri district topped the recovery chart with 1,161 rescue cases, followed by Bhubaneswar (399) and Mayurbhanj (278).The trend was similar among women. From Jan to June, 10,605 women in their 20s to 40s were reported missing, while 12,177 were traced. Puri police rescued 3,713 women, with Jajpur (820) and Ganjam (581) following.DGP Y B Khurania attributed the improved recovery rate to dedicated investigation funds, which were not provided in earlier years. With financial support now assured, police teams that previously avoided travelling outside the state to trace missing children have begun undertaking interstate searches. “Many rescued minors had remained in child care institutes of other states for months due to delays in pursuing cases across jurisdictions. Things have improved after the state govt for the first time provided investigation funds last year,” Khurania said.S Shyni, ADG of crime against women & children wing (CAWCW), which coordinated the drive, said: “A large number of children and women were reunited with their families through sustained investigation, technology‑driven policing and inter‑state coordination.” She added that CAWCW regularly launches special drives under Operation Anweshan to trace missing persons.Puri SP Prateek Singh said several rescued women and children were placed in shelter homes both within and outside Odisha, often awaiting efforts to facilitate their return.Child rights activist Anushree Swain urged regular drives and strict adherence to Supreme Court and crime branch guidelines. “Rescued women and children must not be sent back to exploitative conditions. They need counselling, rehabilitation and livelihood support,” she said.
