19 Minors Among 27 Rescued at Odisha Railway Station Amid Trafficking Suspicion

Railway Police in Odisha rescued 27 people , including 19 minors , from Soro railway station in Balasore district after suspecting possible human trafficking , officials said.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening when the group arrived at the railway station after travelling by bus from the Kaptipada region and nearby areas of Mayurbhanj district. Police said the group was preparing to board a train to Angul .

Officials grew suspicious after noticing a large number of children travelling together under the supervision of only two adult escorts. According to reports, the group had first reached the Soro bus stand before moving to the railway station.

The rescued group included 19 girls and eight boys aged between 9 and 15 years . During questioning, the two men accompanying them claimed the children were being taken to Angul to participate in a three-day summer education camp and related activities.

However, investigators reportedly found inconsistencies in their statements and detained the group for further verification. Police sources said some of the minors allegedly did not possess train tickets or proper travel documents, raising additional suspicion.

Railway Police, along with Childline officials, intervened and rescued all 27 persons before they could board the train. The minors were later shifted to a child care centre in Balasore for counselling, safety and identity verification, while statements of those rescued are being recorded.

Some regional media reports claimed investigators were also examining possible alleged conversion-related links connected to the journey. However, officials have not publicly confirmed any religious conversion angle, and no formal charges or arrests had been announced till the latest reports.