SSB foils trafficking bid along India-Nepal border; rescues girls from Tripura

Kolkata, Aug 28 (IANS) A major human trafficking attempt was thwarted along the India-Nepal border by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on Thursday. Six girls, including four minors, were rescued, and two men were taken into custody.

“During routine checking at Old Bridge, Panitanki, around 6.30 p.m., the Border Intelligence Team (BIT) of ‘D’ Company Panitanki, 41 Bn, SSB, intercepted the group comprising six girls and two suspected adult male traffickers while they were attempting to cross the border from India to Nepal,” a senior official said.

After suspecting that it was a human trafficking attempt, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Sector Headquarters, SSB Ranidanga, and the NGO Kosi Lok Manch were immediately informed and called upon. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other sister agencies were also called for a joint interrogation.

“During the joint interrogation, it came to be known that Anna, a resident of Cooch Behar, West Bengal, and Vicky Kaushik, manager of Lotus Dance Bar in Biratnagar, Nepal, were allegedly involved in facilitating the cross-border movement of minor girls. They were reportedly in contact with Nirmal Debbarma from Tripura and Chinmay Basak from Jalpaiguri for arranging and supplying girls to the Lotus Dance Bar in Biratnagar, Nepal,” the official said.

Kaushik allegedly forced the girls to dance at the bar and participate in other activities for the entertainment of customers. All six girls, including the minors, were residents of various districts of Tripura.

The men accompanying them were identified as Nirmal Debbarma (25), from Shimultai, East Dalu Chara, Dhalai, Tripura, and Chinmay Basak (32), from Danga Para, Jabaramli, Maynaguri, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.

After counselling, the girls were handed over to the Kharibari police station. Following further inquiry, they will be reunited with their families. Necessary legal action will be taken against the two suspected traffickers. A search has also been initiated for Anna, while authorities in Nepal will be urged to take necessary action against Kaushik.

Human trafficking is one of the major crimes along the India-Nepal border that allows unrestricted movement for citizens of both countries.

“While vigilance is maintained along the border, there are also sensitisation programmes for personnel as well as local citizens. Special camps and workshops are regularly held in nearby districts to create awareness about human trafficking,” the official said.

–IANS

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