Raiganj, July 16 -- A 19-year-old girl was rescued from the premises of the Islampur court in North Dinajpur district on Wednesday after residents and a section of BJP activists alleged that she was being trafficked to a red-light area at Panjipara.
One Mohammad Sahil was caught by locals on suspicion of being involved in the alleged trafficking attempt and was later handed over to the Islampur police. Another suspected associate reportedly fled the spot before he could be caught.
The incident has triggered tension in Islampur, coming close on the heels of recent anti-trafficking operations in the area. Over the past few weeks, the Islampur Police District has rescued 48 girls, including 44 minors, during raids conducted at Champabag brothel and the Tinpool area.
Former English Bazar MLA and social activist Sreerupa Mitra Chaudhury claimed that the rescued girl was a resident of Siliguri and was seen moving around the court premises in a suspicious manner. According to her, Mohammad Sahil was allegedly preparing documents for the girl's religious conversion. Court employees alerted BJP activists after becoming suspicious.
Chaudhury stated: "During questioning, the girl disclosed that Sahil had brought her to the court. We have obtained a video recording which proved that Sahil planned to marry the girl before allegedly selling her to a brothel in Panjipara. Following the incident, the girl's parents were informed."
Superintendent of Police of Islampur Police District, Rakesh Singh, confirmed that a young woman had been rescued from the court premises and said: "We have begun an investigation into the incident.
Police remain vigilant and are continuing their drive against human traffickers operating in Islampur."
No official confirmation has yet been made regarding the allegations of
religious conversion.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.