Kharibari, 12th October: A suspected human trafficker was arrested at Panitanki along the Indo-Nepal border in Kharibari on Sunday while allegedly attempting to cross into Nepal with a minor girl. During the subsequent investigation, another minor girl was traced and rescued from Siliguri.
According to information, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel on border patrol became suspicious while checking the documents of a man attempting to cross the border with a minor girl. During questioning, several inconsistencies emerged in the girl’s statements, following which the man was detained.
Further investigation led to the vital information of another minor girl. The girl was subsequently rescued from Siliguri in a joint operation involving the SSB, police and a voluntary organisation.
According to SSB sources, the accused allegedly planned to traffic the minor girls from Mizoram to Nepal by luring them with promises of employment.
The SSB later handed over the accused to Kharibari Police Station. Police arrested him on charges of human trafficking and registered a case under multiple sections of the law.
The accused has been identified as Mahesh Bhuralal Tanna, a Bhutanese national. He is scheduled to be produced before the Siliguri court on Monday.
