Arunachal Pradesh is one of the most beautiful regions of India with its inhabitants being cordial and hospitable. The region is both culturally diverse and rich in biodiversity; no wonder, it is titled 'The Land of Dawn-lit Mountains' or 'The Orchid Paradise of India'. But recently, there is a rising case of child abduction in the beautiful region otherwise renowned for being one of the safest states of India.

Abduction cases of children are occurring across the state, and the locals believe that most kidnappers are people outside of Arunachal Pradesh whose whole purpose to visit the state is to abduct children for organ harvesting or bondages among other illegal activities. Indeed, most solved cases involve the abductors being non-tribal (from outside the state) or immigrants residing in the state.

Most recently, Arunachal Pradesh Police has rescued four “kidnapped” girls belonging from Changlang from a lodge in Assam’s Guwahati. After completing the legal formalities and necessary counselling, the rescued girls were handed over to their guardians through the Child Welfare Committee of Changlang.

These illegal actions have their own set of heavy penalties under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with sections; 363 (punishment for kidnapping), 364 (kidnapping or abduction to murder), 364A (kidnapping for ransom), 365 (kidnapping secretly and wrongfully to confine person), 366A (procuration of minor girl), 367 (kidnapping or abducting to subject a person to grievous hurt and slavery), 368 (wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement, kidnapped or abducted person), 369 (kidnapping or abducting child under ten years with the intent to steal from its person).

Even with heavy penalties for such illegal actions, the cases of child abduction seem to have no end. So, the question is, how is the state so safe turning into one of the unsafe regions? Are the parents to blame for being careless guardians or is it the incompetence of the law enforcement of the state? Or are we, the society as a whole, to blame for failing to protect the innocence of the most vulnerable members of society – children? The questions keep increasing but we don't happen to find any answers to end the issue.

If you are aware or suspect that someone may be engaged in such activity, please call - POLICE CONTROL ROOM: 100, 2212702