Police rescue abducted 9-year-old; 5 held

Dimapur police rescued a 9-year-old girl (non-Naga), who had been abducted from Rengma Colony, Dimapur, on July 3 and later traced to and rescued at Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh, on August 3, 2025.
The child trafficking case was disclosed by PRO and DCP (Crime) Khekali Y. Sema, who informed media that the girl went missing on July 3 after which, an FIR was lodged by the father at Women Police Station, Dimapur. The DCP said five persons have also been arrested in connection with the case. The rescued minor is presently under the care of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Dimapur.
Police informed that two of the accused- Nitu Nath (31) and his wife, Protima Rajbongshi (30)- were arrested by Diphu police. Personnel from Dimapur Women Police Station later took custody of the duo, who admitted to abducting the girl at the behest of a co-accused and selling her in Arunachal Pradesh for Rs.80,000.
Police said that based on their statements, two more suspected were identified and arrested from Jorhat- Basu Dep Tanti (38) and Subhan Ali (52). Acting on further leads, police apprehended another accused, Milan Da Teta (38), from Biswanath Chariali, Tezpur, whose disclosure led to the successful rescue of the child from Naharlagun.
Investigating Officers (IOs) ASI Arenla and SI (UB) Tsukhumla who were also present said their priority was the safe recovery of the child, which was achieved after coordinated operations across the North East. They said wireless messages were circulated and vital leads gathered from local sources.
Police said the victim revealed she had been deceived then forcibly taken away by the couple under false assurances. She was physically assaulted by the duo who asked her to claim she belonged to the Adivasi community. The victim however said she was treated well while in Arunachal.
Investigators said the case was pursued discreetly to avoid alerting the accused and to safeguard the child. They said the probe is still underway to ascertain if those arrested are linked to a larger trafficking network.