ix Tripura girls, including four minors, rescued in suspected human trafficking bid near India-Nepal border

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on Thursday intercepted a group near the India-Nepal border and rescued six girls, including four minors, while two men suspected of facilitating their movement were taken into custody, an official said.

The Border Intelligence Team (BIT) of ‘D’ Company, Panitanki, 41st Battalion, SSB, intercepted the group during routine checking at Old Bridge, Panitanki, around 6.30 pm, when they were allegedly attempting to cross from India into Nepal.

Suspecting a human trafficking attempt, the SSB informed its Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) at Sector Headquarters, Ranidanga, and NGO Kosi Lok Manch. The Intelligence Bureau and other agencies were also called for a joint interrogation, the official said.

During the interrogation, the authorities found that the two men were allegedly involved in facilitating the cross-border movement of the girls, the official said.

The men were identified as Nirmal Debbarma, 25, a resident of Shimultai, East Dalu Chara in Dhalai district of Tripura, and Chinmay Basak, 32, of Danga Para, Jabaramli, Maynaguri in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.

According to the official, Anna, a resident of Cooch Behar, and Vicky Kaushik, manager of Lotus Dance Bar in Biratnagar, Nepal, were allegedly involved in arranging the movement of minor girls. They were reportedly in contact with Debbarma and Basak for arranging and supplying girls to the bar in Biratnagar.

The official alleged that Kaushik forced the girls to dance at the bar and participate in other activities for customers.

All six girls, including the four minors, are residents of different districts of Tripura, the official said.

After counseling, the girls were handed over to Kharibari police station. They will be reunited with their families after further inquiry, officials said.

Necessary legal action will be taken against the two suspected traffickers, while a search has been launched for Anna. Authorities will also request their counterparts in Nepal to take necessary action against Kaushik, the official said.

The official said human trafficking remained a major concern along the India-Nepal border, where citizens of both countries can move across the border without restrictions. (with inputs from agencies)