A Bangladeshi woman was caught by local people in the Southpara area of Chengrabandha and handed over to Mekhliganj police station. Police stated that the woman identified herself as Pia Khatun, a resident of Pirgachha in the Rangpur district of Bangladesh.
Details of Illegal Entry and Trafficking
The victim told police that she was brought to India illegally through brokers about four years ago. She alleged that after being brought to India, she was forced to work in different places and later pushed into forced prostitution. She was reportedly taken to several areas including Siliguri and Dinhata. In Dinhata, she worked in a hotel for a few days.
She reached Chengrabandha in an attempt to return to Bangladesh, but could not cross the border due to closed international immigration. Local residents saw her wandering in the area and informed the police in the presence of a local panchayat member. Mekhliganj police reached the spot and took the woman into custody.
Police are investigating the charges of illegal entry, stay, human trafficking, and forced prostitution. Further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
