Kodarma, Jharkhand – A chilling mystery unfolds in the forested hamlets of Jharkhand as ten Birhor tribal children vanish without a trace. The incident, reported from Gadiyai Birhor Tola in Jaynagar thana area, has left the district administration on high alert.
On January 31, a group of villagers traveled to Parsabad for a traditional shraddh ritual honoring the deceased. Among them were the ten children, all from India’s most marginalized PVTG. As night fell, the convoy returned – minus the young ones. Initial searches by kin yielded nothing, escalating the matter to police on February 2.
Speculation rife with human trafficking angles, though no concrete evidence yet. ‘We’re examining every CCTV in the vicinity and expanding checks to inter-district borders,’ stated DSP Divakar Kumar. Teams are deployed at transport hubs, scrutinizing passenger lists and vehicle logs.
The Birhor community, already battling poverty and isolation, is shattered. Mothers clutch faded photos, recounting the children’s playful antics just days ago. SHO Uma Nath Singh vows round-the-clock operations, but anxiety mounts with each passing hour.
Experts highlight systemic vulnerabilities: lack of schools, poor connectivity, and traffickers preying on innocence. This isn’t isolated; similar cases plague tribal belts. Urgent need for community vigilance programs and tech-driven tracking. Until the kids are found, Kodarma’s hills echo with unanswered cries.