A group of parents from Jokihat in the Araria district of Bihar has appealed to authorities for the immediate release of their children, who were detained by railway police in Madhya Pradesh while travelling on a train. Around 90 children were taken into custody in Jabalpur and Katni during a railway check on the Patna to Pune route.
Parents say their children were not involved in any illegal activity and were travelling with full family consent to study at a madrasa. They have urged both the Bihar and Madhya Pradesh administrations to ensure the safe return of the minors.
One parent said in a video message that the children were sent for education and not for any other purpose. He said, “My child has done nothing wrong. We sent him for education with full trust. He should be safely sent to the madrasa or returned home.”
Emotional Appeals From Families in Araria
Families have expressed shock and distress after learning that the children were taken off the train. Several parents said they came to know about the incident only after the children stopped responding on their phones.
A father said that his child was frightened and far away from home. He said, “Our children are very young. They are scared. We are also worried. They should be released immediately and allowed to continue their journey or return safely.”
Another family member said the children were travelling under supervision and that proper arrangements had been made for their education. He said the situation has caused panic among families in the village.
Parents also questioned why the children were taken to child care homes instead of being allowed to continue their journey after verification.
Railway Police Action and Detention
The Railway Protection Force detained 165 to 167 children during checking at Katni railway station and nearby points on 11 April. Officials said the action was taken after inputs about suspicious movement of minors.
According to police, some children did not have complete documents and were travelling in groups across states including Bihar and Maharashtra. This led to concerns about possible trafficking, and cases were registered against several people accompanying the children.
After detention, many children were shifted to child care homes in Katni and Jabalpur for protection and counselling.
Authorities Begin Verification Process
Child welfare officials have started verification of the children through district administrations. Officials said the main priority is to confirm identity, contact families, and ensure the safety of every minor.
A child care official said, “Our first responsibility is the safety of children. We are verifying every case and speaking to families. Only after proper verification will any decision be taken.”
Officials also said counselling is being conducted to understand the background of the travel and the arrangements made for the children.
Confusion Over Purpose of Travel
While authorities suspect possible irregularities due to missing documents, families insist the children were travelling only for religious education at a madrasa.
Parents and community members have demanded that the matter not be treated as a criminal case without proper investigation. They say innocent children should not be kept in detention facilities if their purpose of travel is confirmed as education.
One community member said, “If children are going for study, it should not become a crime. At the same time, everything should be checked properly. But children must be treated with care.”
