Senior Congress leader and former Legislative Councilor Premchand Mishra has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of children in Bihar. Speaking in Patna on March 10, 2026, he stated that organized human trafficking gangs are highly active across the state. Mishra cited official data to highlight the deteriorating law and order situation, specifically focusing on the large number of children who disappear every year without being recovered by the authorities.
What do the official statistics say about missing children in Bihar?
The official police data from 2025 shows a concerning gap between reported missing cases and successful recoveries. While many children are found, a significant portion remains untraced. The state reportedly ranks second in India for missing girls, following only Odisha in this category.
| Category | Data Points (2025) |
|---|---|
| Total Missing Children Reported | 14,699 |
| Total Children Recovered | 7,772 |
| Children Still Missing | 6,927 |
| Missing Girls | 12,526 |
| Missing Boys | 2,173 |
How is the government and Bihar Police responding to this issue?
In response to the rising concerns, the Bihar Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has formalized “Operation Kavach.” This initiative is led by Dr. Amit Jain and involves several specialized units designed to track and rescue missing minors. All 1,196 police stations in the state are now integrated with the national Mission Vatsalya portal to ensure better data sharing and search operations across different regions.
- Anti-Human Trafficking Units: 44 specialized units are now operational in all districts and major airports including Patna, Darbhanga, and Gaya.
- Escalation Protocol: If a child is not found within four months by the local police, the case is automatically handed over to the district-level specialized units.
- Field Verification: Officers are conducting door-to-door verification to update records and confirm if any missing children have returned home on their own.
- Railway Security: The RPF recently arrested a trafficker from Lakhisarai at Hatia station who was attempting to take three boys to Tamil Nadu.
Premchand Mishra criticized the slow pace of current measures and urged the government to strengthen the policing system. Meanwhile, the Bihar Police have requested the public to use the Dial 112 emergency service to report any suspicious activity related to child safety. They have also cautioned against reacting to unverified information or rumors circulating on social media platforms.