Ranchi: A wave of joy swept through Ranchi on Wednesday after two minor siblings—a five-year-old boy and his four-year-old sister—were safely reunited with their family, 12 days after they were kidnapped from the city.
Children rescued from Ramgarh district
The siblings were recovered from the Ahmednagar locality under the Rajrappa police station area in Ramgarh district. A man and a woman have been arrested in connection with the abduction and are currently being interrogated.
CM praises police, promises tough action
Chief Minister Hemant Soren congratulated the Jharkhand Police for the successful rescue, calling it a commendable achievement. He asserted that the state government would intensify its drive against human trafficking gangs.
In a social media post, Soren said the case had deeply disturbed him and praised the way Ranchi police linked the kidnapping to a similar incident in another state to track down the accused and rescue the children. He added that the probe would be expanded to identify and dismantle the entire criminal network operating within and outside Jharkhand.
Sharing photographs of the children, the Chief Minister also directed officials to ensure that the family is connected to all eligible government welfare schemes.
DGP highlights coordinated police effort
Addressing a press conference at the police headquarters, Director General of Police Tadasha Mishra said the rescue was the result of sustained investigation and close coordination among officers across ranks. She announced rewards for the entire team involved in the operation.
The DGP highlighted the key role played by SSP Rakesh Ranjan’s technical cell and the Quick Response Team (QRT), noting that personnel from IPS and DSP ranks to inspectors, sub-inspectors and constables contributed to the breakthrough.
Interstate trafficking syndicate suspected
According to preliminary investigations, the DGP said the kidnapping does not appear to be an isolated incident but part of a larger interstate human trafficking syndicate. “Several more individuals may be involved. Our objective is to identify every member of the network and bring them to justice,” she said.
Alert youths help crack the case
The breakthrough came due to the vigilance of two local youths in Ahmednagar—Sachin and Dablu—who noticed the children with a couple and matched their faces with missing posters circulating on social media. After confirming their identities with the family, they alerted Rajrappa police, who reached the spot within minutes and rescued the siblings safely.
Kidnapping triggered protests in Ranchi
The children had gone missing on January 2 while heading to a grocery store near their home in the Mausibari area under Dhurwa police station limits in Ranchi. The incident triggered widespread outrage, with political parties and social organisations staging protests and parts of the Dhurwa sub-town observing a shutdown.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had also taken cognisance of the case and sought a report from the Jharkhand DGP.
City celebrates children’s return
Following the siblings’ return on Wednesday, hundreds of residents gathered near their home, celebrating with colours and cheers as Ranchi witnessed an emotional outpouring of relief and happiness.
