Nitin set out on a three-day tour, which was a part of the campaign organised by his school — International Day of the Girl Child. The campaign was to promote the betterment of girls in a nearby rural area, where they did not have basic rights. The six-member team was to educate villagers about education for girls, prevention of child marriage, safeguarding them against child trafficking, and more. The team had also planned a play on the last day.
It was late in the evening when they reached the village, They were warmly welcomed by the sarpanch , who had arranged comfortable accommodation for them.
Strange goings-on
Next day, after dinner, Nitin strolled outside the guest house. Suddenly, he noticed Velan, who had assisted Muthu while serving dinner, coming out of a nearby cottage, carrying a girl who seemed asleep. He looked nervous as he hastily headed to the main road. Nitin found it suspicious and followed him to the bus stop, where the former took a bus to a nearby city.
“Who was the young girl with him?” he wondered.
The next day, Nitin watched Velan all day. After sunset, Velan returned to his cottage. Around 11 p.m., he had a visitor. Nitin headed towards the backyard where he overhead a conversation. It seemed as if the men were transporting girls from the village to the city. They had planned their last move that night.
“They have to be stopped now!” thought Nitin, as he rushed back to the guest house and explained everything to his teacher. They dressed themselves in their costumes meant for their play and arrived at Velan’s cottage. The teacher said, “Sir, I have three girls and I am not able to cope. I have heard you help people like me.”
She cleverly persuaded Velan to help her. In due course, Velan and his partner were taken to the guest house. But the two of them refused to go inside. Suddenly, out of nowhere, appeared a gang of five (the remaining students) wearing frightening masks. They also made weird sounds, which frightened the men, who ran inside, trembling with fear. Nitin immediately locked them in.
Soon after, the sarpanch arrived with the police, and the men were taken into custody. Velan confessed that he worked for a gang that abducted girls. The children were then made to work or beg. The sarpanch thanked the team for their heroic deed.
