SSB Busts Suspected Human Trafficking Racket at Indo-Nepal Border; Two Minor Girls Rescued, Two Held
SSB Busts Suspected Human Trafficking Racket at Indo-Nepal Border; Two Minor Girls Rescued, Two Held
Siliguri, October 13: Personnel of the 41st Battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Ranidanga, foiled a suspected cross-border human trafficking attempt at Panitanki along the Indo-Nepal border, rescuing two minor girls and apprehending two individuals during an operation on October 11.
According to an official statement issued by the 41st Battalion SSB, the operation began around 5 pm when personnel stationed at the Border Interaction Team (BIT) New Bridge in Panitanki intercepted a silver-coloured Toyota Hyryder travelling from India towards Nepal during routine vehicle checking.
The vehicle was carrying Mahesh Bhuralal Tanna, 61, a resident of Ahmedabad, Gujarat; driver Navin Kumar, 34, from Muzaffarpur district in Bihar; and a 17-year-old girl from Mizoram, whose identity has been withheld for her protection.
During preliminary questioning, the minor reportedly told SSB personnel that she was travelling to Nepal with Tanna, whom she identified as an acquaintance of her father, allegedly for shopping and a casino visit.
Further questioning reportedly revealed that the girl had been staying with Tanna at a rented flat near Salugara in Siliguri after allegedly being lured with promises of employment at spa centres in Mumbai and Goa.
Acting on information obtained during the questioning, the operation subsequently led to the rescue of another minor girl from a rented flat in the Salugara area.
The two individuals were apprehended in connection with the suspected trafficking attempt. The allegations remain subject to further investigation.
The operation highlights concerns surrounding the exploitation of vulnerable minors through fraudulent employment offers and suspected trafficking activities along the Indo-Nepal border.
Report By Prashant Acharya
[SSB Human Trafficking Rescue, Panitanki Indo Nepal Border, Siliguri Human Trafficking Case, Sashastra Seema Bal 41st Battalion, Minor Girls Rescued, Salugara Siliguri]
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