How Many Missing Persons Did Operation Anweshan Rescue in Odisha?
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Synopsis
In a remarkable statewide effort, Odisha Police rescued over 2400 missing individuals during 'Operation Anweshan.' This unique initiative focused on locating children and women, revealing significant statistics on the missing persons crisis in the state. The implications of these findings have stirred political debate and calls for action.
Key Takeaways
- Odisha Police rescued 2417 missing individuals during Operation Anweshan.
- The operation focused on locating missing children and women.
- Statistics revealed 358 missing children and 2059 missing women were found.
- Puri district performed the best, rescuing 45 children and 504 women.
- Similar initiatives will continue in the future.
Bhubaneswar, Sep 1 (NationPress) The Odisha Police successfully located a total of 2417 missing individuals during a focused initiative known as “Operation Anweshan,” which took place statewide from August 18 to 22.
The five-day operation aimed to find and rescue missing children and women throughout the region.
On Monday, the Odisha Police disclosed in an official report that during this timeframe last month, they managed to locate 358 missing children, comprising 33 boys and 325 girls.
Additionally, the police force successfully rescued 2059 missing women between August 18 and 22 this year.
Puri district emerged as the most effective, rescuing 45 children and 504 women, followed closely by Bhadrak district, which rescued 37 children and 318 women.
Cuttack district police also contributed by finding 21 children and 304 women during the same period.
Odisha Police noted, “In 2025, besides 'Operation Anweshan,' we conducted separate special drives for tracing women and children in February, April, and May.”
In total, 6667 missing women were rescued across the state during these special drives in February, April, and May of 2025. The police also tracked down 1209 missing children, which included 1078 girls and 131 boys.
Authorities stated that such initiatives to trace missing persons will persist in the future.
The opposition parties have criticized the state government regarding the issue of missing women and girls in Odisha since the BJP took command of the state.
Previously, the Indian National Congress claimed that around 44,000 women and girls had gone missing in Odisha during the tenure of the previous BJD government from 2000 to 2024, while 20,000 others were unaccounted for in the first eight months of the BJP government.
Point of View
The rescue of 2417 missing persons during Operation Anweshan highlights a critical issue affecting many states. While the Odisha Police's efforts are commendable, the ongoing discussions around the political implications are essential. It is crucial for the government to continue addressing the root causes behind the alarming statistics of missing women and children.
NationPress
01/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Anweshan?
Operation Anweshan is a special initiative by the Odisha Police aimed at tracing and rescuing missing children and women across the state.
How many people were rescued during the operation?
A total of 2417 missing persons were rescued during Operation Anweshan from August 18 to 22.
Which district had the highest number of rescues?
Puri district had the highest number of rescues, with 45 children and 504 women found.
Will similar operations continue in the future?
Yes, the Odisha Police has stated that special drives to trace missing persons will continue in the future.
What are the political implications of these findings?
The opposition parties have been criticizing the state government regarding the issue of missing women and girls, especially since the BJP took power.
