A large-scale child protection campaign carried out across railway stations in Maharashtra has resulted in hundreds of unaccompanied children being identified and assisted. The initiative, titled Operation Muskan-14, was conducted by the Government Railway Police (GRP) between January 20 and February 20, during which intensive searches were carried out across railway premises within the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Railway Police Commissionerate.
During the month-long operation, systematic monitoring of platforms, waiting areas, and other station premises was undertaken in order to identify children who appeared to be alone or without guardians. As a result of these efforts, 305 children were traced during the campaign, according to police officials. The primary objective of the operation was the identification and protection of minors who may have been separated from their families, travelling alone, or potentially at risk.
A large number of the children discovered during the drive were successfully reunited with their families. Officials stated that 193 children were safely handed over to their parents through the intervention of police stations involved in the operation. For those whose guardians could not be immediately located, protective arrangements were made through institutional care.
In total, 112 children were placed in children’s homes to ensure their safety and welfare while verification procedures were carried out. Following detailed checks and confirmation of family identity, 54 of these children were later reunited with their parents. However, 58 children continue to remain in children’s homes across the state, where care and protection are being provided until their families can be identified or other arrangements are made.
The campaign also helped resolve several missing-child cases. Police records indicated that 18 children traced during Operation Muskan-14 had previously been reported missing. Among these cases, 14 children were from different districts of Maharashtra, while four children had been reported missing from other states, highlighting the interstate nature of such cases.
Authorities further reported that 17 cases of kidnapped children have been registered in Maharashtra since 2012. During the recent operation, three children who had been kidnapped were successfully located and reunited with their families, with recoveries taking place in Dadar, Dombivli, and Kalyan.
To strengthen child safety measures at railway stations, specialised teams known as Nirbhaya squads have been deployed. These squads are tasked with identifying missing children and unaccompanied minors on railway premises. Coordination with police departments in other districts and states is carried out in order to determine whether missing complaints have been registered elsewhere. Once verification is completed, efforts are made to trace the parents or guardians and facilitate reunification.
In addition to field operations, passengers have also been encouraged to seek help through the railway police helpline number 1512, which has been made operational to provide immediate assistance within the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Railway Police Commissionerate. Through such coordinated efforts, railway authorities have sought to strengthen protection mechanisms for vulnerable children in public transport environments.