Siliguri, 01st March: A 15-year-old minor girl from Assam, who had reportedly left home to meet her lover, was rescued from a red-light area in Siliguri after allegedly being trafficked through Cooch Behar.
According to information, the minor had left her home in Assam nearly two months ago and reached Cooch Behar, where she allegedly fell into the hands of middlemen and was sold in a red-light locality. There are also suspicions that she was subjected to exploitation during this period.
Sources said that when police action intensified in Cooch Behar, the accused allegedly shifted the girl to Siliguri and sold her again. Acting on specific inputs, Khalpara Outpost police conducted a raid in the red-light area and safely rescued the minor.
The victim has been admitted to a government hospital for medical examination and treatment. Police have registered a case under charges of kidnapping, immoral trafficking and relevant sections of the POCSO Act, and initiated an investigation.
As per legal procedure, the minor will be produced before the Siliguri court for recording of her statement. After discharge from the hospital, she will be kept under the supervision of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
No arrests have been made so far in connection with the case. Police are searching for those involved in trafficking and purchasing the minor and are coordinating with Assam police to facilitate her safe return home.