A 15-year-old Mizo girl, who was rescued from human traffickers by the West Bengal Police, has finally been reunited with her family in Kolasib district after months of procedural delays. The girl was brought to her native town on Wednesday night by a team comprising officials from West Bengal’s Nadia district and local police.
Lured with False Promises of Spa Job
According to officials of the Kolasib District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), the minor was lured by a woman from Kolasib district and her male accomplice from Serchhip district on February 12. The traffickers promised her a job at a spa in Maharashtra with a monthly salary of Rs 20,000, along with travel expenses and food from Mizoram to Mumbai.
The girl was rescued on February 14 when the West Bengal Police conducted a random check on a train and apprehended the duo. The woman and her male companion were booked under relevant sections of the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection & Rehabilitation) Act, 2018, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The minor was also detained and later admitted to a shelter home in Nadia district.
Months-Long Repatriation Process
After being lodged at the home in Nadia district, officials said no one came forward to claim the girl until the Nadia district child welfare committee contacted the Kolasib DCPU. The repatriation process then took months to finalize, officials said, citing procedural delays and disruption linked to the conduct of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and subsequent state assembly elections.
“The process was delayed due to administrative bottlenecks and the election-related work,” a Kolasib DCPU official said. “But we are relieved that the girl is finally back with her family.”
Traffickers Still in Custody
The two accused traffickers remain in custody in West Bengal, facing charges under the anti-trafficking law and the IPC. The girl is now under the care of her family and will receive counseling and support from the DCPU.
This case highlights the vulnerability of young girls in remote areas like Mizoram to trafficking networks that promise lucrative jobs in other states. Authorities urge parents to be vigilant and report any suspicious recruitment offers.
