Operation Muskan: AP police rescue 16457 children, Four test positive for COVID

Amaravati: The Guntur Urban police on July 18 rescued a seven-year-old girl who was abandoned at the neighbour's house. The girl had lost her father, a few years ago, and was living with her mother in Guntur.

Her mother had an illicit relationship with a man. Leaving her daughter at the neighbour's house, she informed them that she would return in 2-3 days as she was having some work in Hyderabad but did not turn up even after six months.

The neighbour, Musuluri Kumari, who was taking care of the girl read about Operation Muskaan in the newspaper and approached the Guntur Urban police SI Mahita, who in turn informed the CWC team and was sent to the rescue home.

This is one of the cases of 16457 street children including child labourers were rescued across the state under Operation Muskaan on Wednesday.

Under the direct supervision of AP DGP Gautam Sawang, police formed 794 teams under 'Operation Muskaan' and conducted a massive operation in coordination with Child-Line, Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and District Child Protection Departments at all railway stations, bus stations, parks, and hotels.

During the operation, a total of 16457 children were rescued. Of whom 13588 are boys and the rest are girls. While a few children were reunited with their families, others were sent to child care centres for further course of action.

Unfortunately, Four kids have tested positive and are being given necessary medical attention. The test result of 631 kids are still awaited.

Operation Muskaan is being conducted in phases by the police department. The AP police have already conducted three phases this year starting from January and rescued 25298 children in the state so far.