11 girls rescued from brothel

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR, Jan 5: A team of Cachar police rescued 11 girls, 2 of whom are minors, from Silchar brothel late on Saturday night. The girls were trafficked from different parts of the state and a few of them are believed to have been trafficked from Nepal. The police conducted the operation based on a complaint filed by Shillong based Impulse NGO Network. The rescued girls were later taken to Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) for the mandatory medical checkup.

  The police team also apprehended one Bablu Choudhury, a resident of Radhamadhab Road of the town, for his suspected hand in the trafficking. Bablu Choudhury was produced before the court on Monday. Prafulla Borgohain, officer in charge of Silchar Sadar police station, informed the media that the Silchar brothel is among the largest prostitution hubs of the North east. Girls are being trafficked here on a regular basis but the police is keeping a tight vigil and the situation is under control. In the past, police have rescued girls from the place.

  Speaking on the issue of rehabilitation of the rescued girls, a member of Impulse NGO Network, said the many NGOs have demanded a high level inquiry into the matter. Though the government agencies have time and again announced welfare schemes for girls and children living in red light area of the town, but they are yet to be effective. The member further said many of the people living in the brother are HIV positive. The government should look into the issue for their treatment so that the spread of the deadly virus can be brought under control.