UP child trafficking: Toddler abducted from temple complex; two held after encounter

BAREILLY: Police arrested two alleged child traffickers after an encounter and rescued an 18-month-old boy who was kidnapped from the Manona Dham temple complex in Aonla, Bareilly.

The accused were identified as Yogesh Kannaujia, 28 and Pawan Chandel, 25, both from Shahjahanpur district.

Officials said they received information that the two suspects, duo in their 20s, were in Fulasi village and were planning to sell the child in Delhi.

SP South Anshika Verma said a police team set up a checkpoint at Fulasi Tiraha on Tuesday. “Two men riding a motorcycle with the child were asked to stop, but they tried to flee. During the chase, their motorcycle skidded and they threw the infant into roadside bushes who was rescued by sub-inspector Sompal,” she said.

“The accused then opened fire at the police team. In retaliatory firing, both suffered bullet injuries in their legs and were arrested. Head constable Kaumish Kumar was also injured,” Verma added. All three were admitted to the district hospital.

The child's father, Raman, had lodged a kidnapping complaint at Aonla police station after the boy went missing on May 24 while playing outside the temple with his two siblings.

Police recovered two country-made pistols, two empty cartridges, two live rounds and an unregistered motorcycle used in the kidnapping.

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