In a remarkable display of vigilance and dedication, Sunita Panna, an inspector with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) posted in the Ranchi railway division, has become a formidable force against child trafficking. Over the past five years, her proactive initiatives have led to the rescue of approximately 50 vulnerable children and the arrest of 29 traffickers, primarily from the bustling premises of Ranchi and Hatia railway stations.
A Trail of Rescues: From Trafficking Rings to Lost Children
Inspector Panna's work goes beyond routine duty, marked by a personal commitment to intercept crimes before they happen. In August 2023, her sharp instincts at Ranchi station led to a significant breakthrough. Noticing suspicious movements, she questioned two girls accompanied by a woman. Dissatisfied with their unconvincing replies and with time running out as a train was about to depart, Panna made the decisive move to board the train with them to continue her interrogation.
Her persistence paid off. She successfully established that the woman was a trafficker. A crucial piece of evidence—a diary detailing commissions received for sending girls from various parts of Jharkhand—was recovered, solidifying the case.
Her compassion extends to all children in distress. In October 2023, she found an autistic boy alone at the Ranchi station ticket counter. After taking him to a nearby private clinic for aid, a doctor recognized the boy, recalling his father had brought him for treatment. While the boy's mother initially agreed to collect him, the father later refused to acknowledge his own child. Undeterred, Inspector Panna and her colleagues ensured the boy's safety by arranging his admission to a rehabilitation home in Bagodar.
Building a Network for Sustained Impact
Sunita Panna's campaign against trafficking is powered by extensive collaboration. Even after her transfer to the control room at RPF's Hatia station some months ago, her mission continues indirectly. She has cultivated a robust network with non-governmental organizations, child welfare committees, and other agencies dedicated to preventing trafficking. This network provides her with continuous actionable inputs, which she then relays to the concerned RPF personnel on the ground for swift action.
Currently on maternity leave, Panna reflects on her drive: "Heading the anti-human trafficking teams of the Ranchi rail division, I was keen to save children and minors from the railway station. Working hard in this field for five years, I have developed a special ability to track suspicious persons at the railway stations." Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. In September 2020, the Railway Board honoured her with a commendation certificate for rescuing two minor children from Ranchi station. She was also awarded for her humanitarian work distributing 'kichdi' in rural areas during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recognition from Peers and Superiors
RPF Commandant Pawan Kumar lauded her unique skills, stating, "She has a special knack for tracking trafficked children and also takes pains to trace and rescue them. She also has good knowledge of this locality, which is helpful." Beyond the tracked cases of trafficking, Inspector Panna's legacy includes the rescue and rehabilitation of over 50 other children found without guardians at the stations, offering them a chance at a safer future. Her story stands as a powerful testament to how individual initiative, coupled with systemic support, can create a formidable defence against heinous crimes like child trafficking.
