Rangia, June 24: An intelligence input received by intelligence set up 24th Bn SSB that a Bus No. GJ-14-V-7111 was seen in AOR of 24th Bn SSB, Rangia along Indo-Bhutan Border with minors.
Sh. Hrishikesh Sharma, deputed special intervention squad to carry out rescue operation. Special intervention squad along with Kumarikata police out post of Tamulpur Police Station, intercepted Bus No. GJ-14-V-7111 at Kumarikata 10 kms towards north from Indo-Bhutan Border. On spot interrogation, it is found that traffickers were taking 34 poor villagers (12 male, 22 female including 07 minor) from Indo-Bhutan Border area to Rameshwar, Junagarh, Gujarat, tempting them for a job in the seafood industry.
After detailed questioning 07 suspected traffickers were taken into custody by Kumarikata police for interrogation. After interrogation, 27 people were handed over to their families in presence of respective village headmen of the concerned village and 07 rescued juvenile/minor girls were sent to Child Care Line, Mushalpur for rehabilitation. All rescued 07 minor girls belong to Darrangamela, Shantipur, Sukhanjuli, Kumarikata, Nagrijuli, Horotola, Kawli, Purb Guabari, Ganeshguri, Ambari village of Indo-Bhutan border area.
An FIR has been registered under section 120(B)370/34 IPC, R/W Sec 26 of Juvenile Justice Act 2000, R/W 16, Labour System Act 1976, R/W Sec 125 Inter State Migration Act. Sh Hrishikesh Sharma, Commandant, 24th Bn SSB, Rangia said that this join operation is a major breakthrough in countering human trafficking on Indo-Bhutan border and will act as a strong deterrence for human trafficking in future.
It is also a matter of security concern how the bus travelled all the way from Junagarh, Gujarat to Assam during statewide lockdown and restriction on inter state movement of public transport.
