Phulbani, July 24 (UDN): In a major breakthrough under Operation Anweshan Phase III, the Odisha Police rescued 129 missing women and nine minor girls during a five-day special operation carried out across Kandhamal district, officials said on Thursday.
The intensive search drive, conducted from July 18 to July 22, involved coordinated efforts by police teams from all police stations in the district. Following their rescue, all the women and children were safely reunited with their respective families and guardians.
Addressing a press conference, Kandhamal Superintendent of Police (SP) Ramendra Prasad said the operation focused on tracing pending missing-person cases and ensuring the safe recovery of women and children.
“In just five days, Kandhamal Police rescued a total of 138 women and children from different locations. Dedicated teams were formed at every police station, and the operation was closely monitored by senior officers,” the SP said.
Special Teams, Technical Intelligence Used
According to the police, specialised teams were constituted to investigate pending FIRs and missing-person reports. Officials also relied on technical intelligence and inter-district coordination to trace those reported missing.
The rescued individuals were located in several districts, including Nayagarh, Bhubaneswar and Kalahandi, before being brought back safely.
SP Ramendra Prasad said Town Police Station and Khajuripada Police Station recorded notable success during the operation, while personnel from every police station contributed to the district-wide effort.
“Although missing persons are traced as part of routine policing, such special drives receive greater supervision from senior officers. Focused monitoring, dedicated teams and technology-assisted investigation significantly improved our success rate,” he said.
Focus on Safety of Women and Children
Operation Anweshan Phase III is a statewide initiative of the Odisha Police aimed at tracing missing women and children and reuniting them with their families.
The Kandhamal Police said the successful completion of the five-day drive reflects its continued commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring their safety.
The SP also appealed to the public to immediately report cases of missing persons and urged citizens to dial the 112 emergency helpline for prompt police assistance.
The district police said similar focused operations will continue in the coming months to trace missing persons and strengthen public safety across the region.