“The joy of seeing a lost child run into their parents’ arms makes every struggle worth it.”
A Mission Beyond Duty
In the bustling lanes of Delhi’s Outer North District, two police officers, Head Constables Seema Devi and Suman Hooda, embarked on a mission that would test not only their professional skills but also their strength, empathy, and determination. Over a span of nine months, from March to November last year, the duo achieved what many would consider impossible: they rescued 104 missing children and reunited them with their families under ‘Operation Milap’, a dedicated campaign to trace missing minors and fight human trafficking.
For Devi and Hooda, this was never just another assignment. It was a journey fueled by compassion, one that began with tearful parents arriving at police stations clutching old photographs, desperate for help. Each case carried a unique story of loss, fear, and hope. From the very start, the officers knew that their work would require extraordinary dedication and persistence.
Challenges Across States
Their search often took them far beyond the borders of Delhi, deep into the rural landscapes of Haryana, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. In these unfamiliar territories, every step brought a new challenge.
The women faced language barriers, hostile environments, and rugged, remote terrains where navigation was difficult. Sometimes they spent long nights traveling in crowded trains or riding on dusty roads, chasing a single lead that might help them trace a missing child. “In some remote areas, we had to seek help from local police, as we were not familiar with the people or the geography,” Devi recalled in an interview with The Economic Times.
The Hurdle of Old Photographs
One of the biggest obstacles they encountered was the lack of recent photographs of missing children. Many families, especially those from rural backgrounds, only had old, faded pictures. This made it extremely challenging to identify the kids, particularly when months or even years had passed since they disappeared.
“In many cases, the families only had old photos, which made identification difficult,” Devi explained. “When that happened, we had to rely on physical identification by the parents, who would travel with us to verify the children.”
This often added an emotional weight to their work. Parents would accompany the officers, sometimes for days, their hearts heavy with both hope and fear. The team would visit villages, railway stations, and crowded marketplaces, scanning countless faces in the hope of recognizing a missing child.
Railway Stations: Clues in the Chaos
Railway stations became a crucial part of their search. Hooda and Devi soon realized that hawkers, beggars, and local vendors at these stations often noticed children who appeared lost or out of place. By building trust with these individuals, the officers were able to gather vital information that formal systems often missed. Many leads came from these conversations, leading to the rescue of children who had been trafficked, abandoned, or run away from home.
An Emotional Journey
Hooda, who joined the AHTU in March 2024, described her initial months on the job as deeply moving and transformative.
“Reuniting a child with their family brings immense relief and happiness,” she said softly. “Every successful rescue reminds us why we chose this profession. It is a feeling that cannot be described in words.”
The emotional highs and lows were intense. Some days ended in heartbreaking dead ends, while others brought overwhelming joy and gratitude. One unforgettable moment for Devi was when a young boy, missing for over a year, saw his mother from a distance. He sprinted through the crowd and leapt into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably. The mother collapsed to her knees, clutching him tightly as onlookers wiped away tears.
“As a mother, I deeply understood the pain of parents whose children went missing,” Devi shared. “That is why we were so determined to find them.”
A Triumph of Willpower
By November, their unwavering efforts had paid off. A total of 104 children were rescued, each carrying a story of survival and resilience. The campaign’s success brought immense relief to families who had been living in despair and strengthened community trust in the police force.
Operation Milap was more than just a law enforcement initiative, it was a testament to the power of empathy, courage, and human will. For Devi and Hooda, it proved that when officers go beyond their call of duty, they don’t just enforce the law, they transform lives.
Their journey stands as a shining example of how two determined women brought light back into 104 homes, proving that even amidst the darkest circumstances, hope can prevail.
