Forbesganj Police Raid Rescues Seven Girls from Brothels, Arrests 30 in Major Operation
In a significant late-night operation on Friday, police in Forbesganj town of Araria district conducted a raid that led to the rescue of seven girls, including six minors, from brothels. Authorities confirmed that at least 30 individuals were arrested from the scene, comprising alleged traffickers, pimps, women accused of luring the victims, and customers involved in the illicit activities.
Disturbing Details of Trafficking and Abuse Emerge
Officials revealed that the rescued girls had been trafficked from various locations, with one hailing from Haryana. They were reportedly kept in inhuman conditions, subjected to both sexual and physical abuses. An FIR has been formally registered against all those implicated in the case, as investigations continue to uncover the full extent of the network.
Sources disclosed harrowing accounts from the victims, including a 16-year-old girl from Haryana who shared her traumatic experience. She stated that she had been raped by her uncle for four years and, despite informing her father, no action was taken. To escape the abuse, she developed a friendship with a boy on social media and ran away from home to meet him. Tragically, she was allegedly lured by a woman who sold her to the brothel for Rs 2.5 lakh, highlighting the vulnerabilities exploited by traffickers.
Rescue Operation Uncovers Alarming Conditions and Evidence
Suresh Kumar, a member of Bal Mitra present during the rescue, described the extremely distressing conditions in which the girls were living. The youngest rescued was just 12 years old, with all minors aged up to 16. During the raid, police recovered liquor, intoxicating substances, and hormone injections, indicating the severe exploitation and control exerted over the victims.
Kumar further explained that the brothels operated from an interconnected facility designed to allow movement between units, facilitating the illegal activities. He noted that several individuals involved in the racket managed to flee during the operation, and some girls identified in earlier reconnaissance could not be rescued, underscoring the challenges in such interventions.
Naya Savera 2.0 Campaign Drives Ongoing Efforts
ADG Amit Kumar Jain of the weaker section stated that this rescue is part of the "Naya Savera 2.0" campaign, launched in April to identify and rescue minors and adults trapped in bonded labour and sexual exploitation networks. He emphasized that police teams will continue conducting raids based on intelligence inputs to combat such crimes effectively.
Jain highlighted recent successes of the campaign, including the rescue of 62 bonded labourers from Gaya and 26 from Saharsa. Police are now focused on further investigation to trace those who escaped and identify the wider trafficking network linked to the Forbesganj operation, aiming to dismantle it comprehensively.
