Bengal woman held for trafficking

Kolkata, Aug 12 (IANS) A woman alleged to be involved in a human trafficking racket was detained and a minor girl rescued on Monday from West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, police said.

The woman – identified as Tanjina Khatun – was detained following interrogation of Sheikh Shabir, who was arrested Saturday in connection with selling of a minor girl who was rescued from a brothel in Delhi earlier this month.

"We detained Khatun today (Monday) and also rescued an underage girl from a hideout. We suspect she is involved in a trafficking racket along with Shabir," said Additional Superintendent of Police Bhaskar Mukherjee.

Mukherjee said Khatun will be presented for a test identification parade before the girl who was rescued.

The 16-year-old girl had gone missing in June from Haroa in the district and was rescued with the efforts of a non-governmental organisation after she managed to make a call to her brother.