Who is the Gulgulia Gang? Massive Search Launched Across Four States for Missing Siblings in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Jharkhand:
Ranchi is gripped by fear and tension after two young siblings, five-year-old Ansh and four-year-old Anshika, went missing from Mallar Toli, Dhurwa, on January 2. The local police, along with a Special Investigation Team (SIT), have launched a large-scale search operation spanning four states—Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. The investigation is increasingly focusing on the “Gulgulia Gang,” a group of nomadic criminals believed to be involved in previous thefts and child-related crimes. The abduction has left parents across the state anxious and angry.

Four-State Police Operation
The SIT has mobilized teams in mission mode. One team is operating in Odisha, another in Purulia (West Bengal), while other teams are covering Purnia (Bihar), Hazaribagh, and Palamu. Earlier, search operations were also conducted in Patna and Varanasi. Technical units and police officials have recorded statements from family members and relatives to trace the abductors and dismantle the criminal network.

Who Are the Gulgulia Gang and Why Are They Suspected?
In Jharkhand, “Gulgulia” refers to nomadic groups that live in temporary shelters and camps. Police investigations indicate that many of these camps in Ranchi host criminals from other states as well. This gang has been linked to thefts and crimes involving children in the past. Their nomadic lifestyle makes tracking them extremely difficult, prompting repeated police orders to remove them from urban areas and strengthen law enforcement against them.

Public Outcry: Markets Shut and Torch Marches
Angered by the prolonged absence of the children, residents of Dhurwa and the HEC area organized protests under the banner of the “Save Ansh-Anshika Struggle Committee.” On Sunday, the industrial area, markets, and transport services were shut down as hundreds of people marched with torches, demanding the safe return of the children. Locals warned that the protests would continue and intensify until Ansh and Anshika are found.