In a shocking discovery on Friday (26th April 2024), the Uttar Pradesh Police intercepted a bus traveling through Ayodhya, which led to the rescue of approximately 93 minors suspected of being trafficked. These children, aged between 6 to 14 years, were found in distressing conditions. The quick action of the police led to the arrest of five Maulvis associated with this grave incident.

The origins of these young children trace back to the Araria district of Bihar, revealing a sinister network spanning significant distances across states. The arrested Maulvis reportedly intended to enroll these minors in madarsas located in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. A deeper probe into these institutions revealed that the madarsas were operating without any registration, further complicating the legality of the situation.

During their meticulous investigation, the authorities uncovered disturbing allegations against the Maulvis. It was reported that these religious teachers falsely declared the children as orphans to secure funding from various external sources. This deceit not only played on the sympathies of donors but also placed the lives and well-being of numerous children at risk.

The situation grew even more harrowing as details of the minors' ordeal came to light. According to the police, after gaining the children's trust, the Maulvis allegedly subjected them to inhumane treatment. This cruel manipulation of trust and the subsequent abuse have sparked widespread outrage and a call for strict actions against those responsible.

The local administration, deeply moved by the plight of these young victims, has now intensified its efforts to unravel the full extent of this trafficking network.

According to recent distressing revelations, on the same fateful Friday (26th April), law enforcement halted a double-decker bus near Devkali, Ayodhya, under the heavy shadow of suspicion regarding human trafficking activities. The bus, densely packed with around 100 passengers, carried a particularly vulnerable group—93 of whom were minor children. Witnesses and police reports describe the children as appearing extremely tired and visibly distressed, painting a grim picture of their condition.

The journey for these young souls had commenced in Araria, Bihar, a detail that sheds light on the extent and organized nature of this trafficking network. Under initial questioning, the Maulvis, now in police custody, disclosed their intended destination was Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. They specifically named two madarsas—Madarul Uloom Rafiqia and Daare Arqam—both situated in the Deoband area. These clerics asserted that their purpose was to enroll the children in these religious schools.

This statement, while shedding light on their supposed intentions, raises severe questions about the legitimacy of their claims and the conditions under which these children were being transported. The authorities are probing deeper into these madarsas, questioning their involvement and the validity of the clerics’ statements, as the community reels from the shock of these revelations and the plight of the trafficked minors.

Upon delving further into the matter of the madarsas where the minors were supposed to be enrolled, the police uncovered that neither Madarul Uloom Rafiqia nor Daare Arqam was registered, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of these institutions and the intentions behind the children's enrollment.

During the course of their investigation, a startling scheme came to light involving the Maulvis. It was found that not only were these clerics receiving money from the parents of these children, but they were also deceitfully presenting these minors as orphans to gather additional funds from unsuspecting external sources. This duplicitous act of exploiting the children’s identities for financial gain added a darker aspect to the already grim scenario.

Following the arrests of the clerics, the immediate concern was the welfare of the rescued minors. The police swiftly arranged for the children to be sent to the Government Children’s Home in Lucknow, where they could receive proper care and attention. Their parents were also notified about the situation. By Sunday (28th April 2024), a team from the State Child Protection Commission visited the Children's Home to assess the situation and provide additional support.

Koo App New: Human Trafficking: Five clerics carrying 99 children arrested, they were taking them from Bihar to Saharanpur in a bus. The age of the children is between 6 and 12 years. All of them have been kept in Mumtaz Sharanalaya in Lucknow. The police is busy in gathering information about the entire racket by interrogating the clerics. Join | t.me/SatyaagrahIndia View attached media content - Satyaagrah (@SatyaagrahIndia) 30 Apr 2024

During the team's visit, they took the time to build a rapport with the minors, slowly earning their trust. As the children began to feel safer and more secure, they shared the harrowing experiences they endured while under the control of the Maulvis in the madarsas. The accounts given by the minors provided crucial insights into the ordeal they faced, prompting further actions to address such severe violations of their rights and well-being.

The rescued minors recounted heart-wrenching details of their harrowing time at the madarsas in Saharanpur, where they endured severe mistreatment. They described being brutally assaulted and being forced to undertake degrading tasks such as cleaning toilets. The children spoke of living under constant threats of dire consequences if they dared to share their plight with anyone outside.

The treatment of these young ones was especially merciless when it came to their health; they were only provided with medicine when their families managed to send money, showcasing a callous disregard for their well-being. This recent rescue operation highlighted that many of the children had been previous residents at these institutions, indicating ongoing abuse.

At night, the facility's gates were securely locked, and any requests from the minors to open them were met with violence. Guards at the madarsas, specifically named Master Shahzad and Jabar by the children, were singled out as the main perpetrators of this abuse, adding layers of fear and oppression to their already vulnerable lives.

In response to these serious allegations, the police have intensified their interrogation of the arrested Maulvis, pushing forward with legal proceedings to address these egregious violations of human rights and child welfare. Shockingly, it was revealed that the parents of these minors were coerced into signing declarations that absolved the Maulvis of any responsibility for harm that might come to their children, further complicating the legal entanglements of the case.

The gravity of the situation prompted the administration to summon the children's parents to Lucknow on Monday (29th April). During these emotionally charged meetings, Dr. Suchita Chaturvedi, a member of the State Child Rights Protection Commission, witnessed firsthand the deep emotional scars borne by the children, as many broke down in tears while recounting their experiences to her. The depth of their trauma was palpable, stirring a profound response from all present and reinforcing the urgent need for protective measures and justice for these young victims.

In the midst of their ordeal, the rescued minors expressed a poignant contrast between their current circumstances and their aspirations for the future. They shared with the authorities their collective dream of becoming doctors—a dream they believed could not be realized through the education provided at the madarsas. This revelation added a layer of sadness to their already difficult situation, highlighting the gap between their potential and the opportunities available to them.

In response to these heartfelt admissions, Dr. Suchita Chaturvedi, deeply moved by the children's aspirations and the harsh reality they faced, pledged to secure a more hopeful future for them. She promised to obtain written assurances from the parents, who had been called to Lucknow, affirming that their children would not be sent back to these madarsas. This commitment was aimed at ensuring that these children would have a chance to pursue their dreams in a safe and nurturing environment.

This incident is not isolated in its nature or impact. A similar case emerged in May 2023, when the Maharashtra Police took action against another horrifying scenario of child trafficking. In that instance, a truck was intercepted in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, carrying 63 minor Muslim boys who were being transported under distressing conditions. These boys, aged between 7 to 13, had traveled from various states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, initially brought to Maharashtra by train from Bihar. This earlier case mirrors the present situation, underscoring a disturbing pattern of trafficking and exploitation that targets vulnerable children under the guise of education and betterment.