Were 56 Women Saved from Trafficking in Siliguri?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 56 women rescued from trafficking at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station.
- Operation led by RPF and GRP.
- Two suspects arrested for attempted human trafficking.
- Women targeted with false job promises.
- Victims primarily from North Bengal.
Kolkata, July 22 (NationPress) In a significant operation against human trafficking, 56 young women were successfully rescued from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in Siliguri, located in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, on Tuesday. This rescue was carried out by a coordinated team comprising the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the General Railway Police (GRP).
Authorities have taken two suspects into custody for their involvement in the trafficking attempt. These individuals deceived the women with false promises of employment at a mobile company in different states.
The suspects have been identified as Jitendra Kumar Paswan, from Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas, and Chandrika Kar, from Porajhar near Siliguri.
A GRP official confirmed, “A case has been registered against both suspects under various provisions related to human trafficking.”
GRP superintendent Kunwar Bhushan Singh stated that the police are exploring all potential leads and are striving to apprehend additional accomplices involved in this trafficking network.
Investigations suggest that the arrested individuals are linked to a larger human trafficking ring operating through the North Bengal corridor.
Most of the rescued women hailed from regions including Jalpaiguri, Banarhat, Cooch Behar, and Kalchini within the Alipurduar district. The perpetrators specifically targeted women residing near tea garden areas.
The women were allegedly enticed with job opportunities in Bengaluru, with the actual intention of trafficking them to Hosur in Tamil Nadu. Families of the victims have been notified, as confirmed by a local police official.
The RPF had received a tip-off regarding a possible trafficking incident on Monday night. Subsequently, surveillance was initiated at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. A specialized team of 27 officers, led by GRP officers Atreyi Gangopadhyay and Barsha Pradhan, executed a successful raid on the Patna-bound Capital Express originating from NJP.