THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, January 14: Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, on Wednesday credited Bajrang Dal workers for the recovery of missing children Ansh and Anshika, alleging that the police are now attempting to take sole credit for the rescue operation.
Marandi said that while the police had undoubtedly put in sustained effort over the past 12 days, it was ultimately the courage and alertness of Bajrang Dal youths that led to the children being traced and rescued.
Bajrang Dal Workers Identified Children
According to Marandi, Sachin Prajapati, Dablu Sahu, Sunny, and their companions from Chitarpur in Ramgarh district played a decisive role in identifying and rescuing the children.
“The photographs are in the public domain. I had posted them earlier. Anyone can clearly see the difference between the ground reality and the claims now being made,” Marandi said.
He alleged that certain police officers were making a “cheap attempt” to claim full credit, while ignoring the role played by local youths.
Questions Over Police Press Conference
Marandi said the police press conference held after the rescue raised serious questions.
“The police congratulated themselves, but not a single word was said to encourage or acknowledge the young men who actually found the children,” he said.
He warned that a race had begun to claim credit and that awards would be distributed selectively to favoured individuals.
Demand to Honour ‘Real Heroes’
The BJP leader urged the police administration to correct its mistake, call the Bajrang Dal youths, and formally honour them.
“If these young men are recognised, it will encourage others to come forward and help in such situations in the future,” he said.
Marandi described the act of taking credit for others’ efforts as a “broker culture”, saying it must be avoided.
CM ‘Not Given Correct Information’: Marandi
Marandi also claimed that even Chief Minister Hemant Soren may not have been given the correct ground-level information.
“The Chief Minister praised the administration on social media, but it appears officials did not give him the full truth. He should verify the facts, amend his post, and honour the real heroes,” Marandi said.
He warned that failure to do so would reinforce the perception of an insensitive system.
How the Children Were Found
According to accounts shared on social media, Sachin and his companion were travelling through the Chitarpur area of Ramgarh when they spotted two children matching the photographs circulated widely after the kidnapping.
They clicked photographs, matched them with the missing posters online, contacted the family using the phone number mentioned, and then informed the Rajrappa police station. Acting on this information, police rescued the children from the accused’s house and made arrests.
Debate Over Reward Money
The incident has also raised questions over the ₹4 lakh reward announced by the police for information leading to the recovery of the children.
Marandi and others have questioned who should rightfully receive the reward, arguing that the breakthrough came not from official investigation but from citizens’ initiative and social media outreach.
Political Undercurrent
The kidnapping and delayed recovery had earlier triggered public anger in Dhurwa and adjoining areas, leading to torchlight processions, protests, and even the BJP gheraoing the SSP’s office. The case has now turned into a political flashpoint, with competing narratives over credit, accountability, and institutional response.