Ampati(Meghalaya), Sep 12: Two girls, including one minor, were rescued in a joint operation by two districts of West and South West Garo Hills (SWGH) after allegedly being trafficked to the state of Haryana in North India in the month of February.
As per police inputs, the rescue took place about 3 days ago with the victims of trafficking being brought back by the investigating officers to the state.
The victims reportedly went missing from the district of SWGH in the month of February after which a FIR was lodged by the family.
During the course of investigation, it was found that one girl was taken to the district of Mahendragarh in Haryana and sold there for the purpose of marriage while another girl (minor) was taken to Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan for the same purpose.
Accordingly an investigation into the matter was launched by Meghalaya police. The SWGH police, in association with the district police of WGH managed to arrest two women from Tura and another from Tikirikilla for their part in the crime.
“During their interrogation they admitted to have taken the girls from Tura to Haryana with the help of some others. Further, based on the leads given by them, both the girls have been successfully rescued from the states of Rajasthan and Haryana and handed over to their families,” stated superintendent of police, Siddharth Ambedkar.
Later, another woman, who was also a part of the same group of human traffickers and a native of Tura but settled in Haryana, was also arrested. She allegedly played an extremely key role in the business of human trafficking.
“She was responsible for selling the girls and marrying them off. Investigation in the case is currently ongoing and more arrests are likely,” asserted the SP.
Given the nature of the case, no disclosures of names have been made.
The SP added that the above case was definitely one of human trafficking and one of very deep concern.
“We appeal to the general public to be alert and report any missing person case, especially women and children. These should be reported to the nearest PS,” said Ambedkar.
