BSF rescues two Bangladeshi girls from traffickers

The BSF on Saturday rescued two Bangladeshi girls, including a minor, while they were being trafficked into West Bengal, an official said.

A 12-year-old girl, a resident of Bangladesh's Satkhira district, was rescued from near the Khararmath border outpost in North 24 Parganas district, while an 18-year-old girl hailing from Kishoreganj in Bangladesh was rescued from near the Mustafapur border outpost in Nadia district.

"Bangladeshi touts trafficked the minor into India and handed her to a local tout, who tried to molest her. Hearing her screams, a BSF patrol party rushed to the spot and rescued her," Border Security Force (BSF) deputy commandant Ajay Kumar said.

"She was lured by traffickers and promised a safe journey to her maternal uncle's place in India. She has been handed over to the Border Guard Bangladesh for her safe passage to her family," he said.

He said a resident of North 24 Parganas district has been arrested for trafficking the minor.

In the second case, the 18-year-old girl was rescued during a special operation near the Mustafapur border outpost in Nadia district.

"With four brothers and two sisters, it was difficult for us to make ends meet. I was promised a job in Kolkata by a neighbour, who brought me here," said the girl, who was handed over to police.

In another incident, a 30-year-old Indian woman was apprehended in Nadia for allegedly trying to smuggle gold to Bangladesh.

Three gold biscuits worth Rs.16.30 lakh were seized from her possession.

Identified as Jahanara Mandal, the woman hailing from North 24 Parganas, was handed over to police.