Patna: Alarmed by the increasing incidence of human trafficking across Bihar, Director General of Police (DGP) Vinay Kumar, an IPS officer of 1991 batch, has proposed the creation of dedicated Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) and Women and Child Crime Units in every women police station across the state. Calling human trafficking a “silent crime” that is growing faster than cybercrime, the DGP stressed the need for stronger institutional mechanisms to tackle the evolving challenge.
The proposal was announced on Thursday during a programme at the Police Headquarters to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Dedicated Units Proposed in Every Women Police Station
Addressing police officers and stakeholders, DGP Vinay Kumar said Bihar must strengthen its response to trafficking by establishing two specialised units in all women police stations.
Under the proposal:
- Every women police station will have a dedicated Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU).
- A separate Women and Child Crime Unit will also be established.
- Both units will be headed by Inspectors, while the existing Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) will continue to supervise the women police station.
The DGP directed the Weaker Sections Unit to prepare a detailed proposal for implementing the new structure.
‘Trafficking Growing Faster Than Cybercrime’
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, Vinay Kumar said human trafficking has emerged as one of Bihar’s fastest-growing crimes.
According to him, trafficking cases are being registered at nearly three times the rate of cybercrime cases, making it a far greater concern than cyber fraud.
Describing trafficking as a “silent crime,” the DGP said its devastating impact often remains hidden in the initial stages but continues to affect victims and their families for years.
Bihar Already Has DSP (Special Crime) Posts
The DGP noted that Bihar became the first state in the country to create the post of DSP (Special Crime) in every district to monitor crimes related to women, children and vulnerable sections.
However, he said the changing patterns of organised trafficking now require stronger and more specialised policing structures at the police station level.
Missing Children Cases to be Shifted to AHTUs
In another important direction, Vinay Kumar ordered that all cases involving missing children who remain untraced for more than three months should be transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit for focused investigation.
The move aims to improve the recovery of missing children and strengthen coordinated investigations into organised trafficking networks.
Operation Naya Savera 3.0 Yields Major Results
The DGP also felicitated district police chiefs for their performance during Operation Naya Savera 3.0, a statewide anti-human trafficking campaign.
According to CID officials, the week-long operation, conducted from July 18 to July 25, produced significant results:
- 56 traffickers arrested
- 23 victims rescued
- Awareness programmes organised at 513 locations
- Nearly 62,000 people, including students, participated in awareness campaigns
The campaign focused on rescue operations, law enforcement, rehabilitation and public awareness.
Kishanganj Tops Rescue Operations
Police Headquarters data showed that Kishanganj district recorded the highest number of rescue operations during the campaign.
- Kishanganj: 23 victims rescued in two cases, including 13 women and 10 minor girls.
- Sitamarhi: 17 victims rescued in four cases, including 16 minor boys and one minor girl.
Officials said these districts demonstrated effective coordination among police units during rescue operations.
Kidnapping Cases Triple in Five Years
Highlighting the broader challenge, the DGP revealed that general kidnapping cases in Bihar have increased sharply over the past five years.
According to him:
- Around 8,000 kidnapping cases were reported in 2020.
- The number rose to more than 24,000 cases in 2025.
- Police currently maintain a recovery rate of around 70 percent.
However, he acknowledged that tracing women and child trafficking victims remains considerably more challenging than recovering victims in general kidnapping cases.
Vatsalya Portal Made Mandatory
Vinay Kumar also announced that uploading details of missing children on the Union Home Ministry’s Vatsalya Portal has been made mandatory.
ADG (Weaker Sections) K.S. Anupam informed the gathering that:
- 1,200 police stations across Bihar have been integrated with the Vatsalya Portal.
- Records of over 10,000 missing children have already been uploaded.
- 88 traffickers have been convicted under Operation Naya Savera 3.0 so far.
Swift Justice Recognised
The programme also honoured judicial and police officers who secured the conviction of two traffickers within 34 days, demonstrating effective coordination between investigators and the judiciary.
Those honoured included:
- Bagaha Judge Manvendra Kumar Mishra
- SDPO Kumar Dayendra
- Additional Public Prosecutor Jitendra Kumar Bharti
Officials said the speedy trial serves as a model for handling human trafficking cases across the state.
Stronger Institutional Response Planned
With trafficking cases rising rapidly, Bihar Police is now looking to strengthen its institutional framework through dedicated investigation units, improved tracking of missing children, enhanced coordination and technology-driven monitoring systems.
The proposed reforms are expected to bolster the state’s efforts to combat organised trafficking networks while improving protection for women and children.
