Five persons were arrested for allegedly trafficking four tribal girls, including two minors, from Belaghara in Odisha’s Kandhamal district to Tamil Nadu, a police officer said on Saturday.
“The girls were rescued from the traffickers on Friday while they were waiting for a bus at Belaghara bus stand. The girls belong to Belaghara and have been sent back home,” said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (Baliguda) S. N. Murmu.
Ranjan Bag, Kesab Sahu, Bhujaraj Majhi, Sudam Nag and Minaketan Beruk of Kalahandi district were arrested acting on a tip-off from one Babula Patra of Belaghara, the SDPO said.
The traffickers allegedly lured the girls by promising them employment in a spinning mill. They were assured of good remuneration and accommodation during their stay in Tamil Nadu, sources said.
“Since traffickers are targeting people in remote villages, the administration should keep a strict vigil on such activities. They approach the villagers when schools are closed for vacation,” Childline (Berhampur) director Sudhir Sabat said.
In the past one month, 34 minors, including 26 girls, have been rescued from the railway station here while they were being trafficked to different States.
The rescued children belong to Ganjam, Gajapati and Kandhamal districts. Three traffickers were arrested by the Government Railway Police, Berhampur, during this period, sources said.
“While the traffickers promise good compensation and accommodation facilities, innocent children are forced to work in hazardous conditions,” Mr. Sabat added. - PTI
