Alert security foils human trafficking attempt at Rupaidiha, rescues minor girl

By Siraj Khan, Nepaljung, Jan 4: A minor Nepali girl who was at risk of human trafficking has been rescued due to the vigilance of security personnel at the Rupaidiha checkpoint along the India–Nepal international border.

The 15-year-old girl was safely rescued from Indian territory through the joint efforts of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) BIT team, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, and Nirmala from the organization DEHAT India (Developmental Association for Human Advancement). 

According to Indian police, a Nepali youth involved in the incident has also been taken into custody.

The SSB Rupaidiha checkpoint stated that during a routine inspection, security personnel became suspicious while questioning a girl at the checkpoint and launched an investigation.

 During questioning, the girl disclosed that she was a 15-year-old minor from Chana- 1 of Jumla district, Nepal. After verifying her documents and statement, security personnel confirmed that she was a minor and found that she was at risk of being trafficked.

The young man accompanying her identified himself as Sahil Qureshi, aged19, a resident of Khajura-7, Banke district.

 Police said that during interrogation, he admitted that he was attempting to take the girl to India by luring her with promises of marriage and employment.

According to the police, when security agencies contacted the girl’s mother by phone, it was revealed that the girl had left home without her family’s knowledge.

 After completing the necessary legal procedures, the girl was handed over to a safe shelter in Nepal with the support of the non-governmental organization DEHAT India, Bahraich.

Indian police stated that the detained suspect has been handed over to Nepal Police for further investigation and legal action.

The Jamunaha border crossing in the area has long been considered a high-risk point for human trafficking. 

According to Maiti Nepal, Nepalgunj, in the past year alone, around 600 women and girls at risk during unsafe travel were rescued at this checkpoint and safely returned home.