AGARTALA, Nov 13: A minor girl from Tripura, allegedly lured to Bengaluru with the promise of a film audition, was rescued from a suspected human trafficking network and brought back safely, people involved in the rescue said.
The girl went missing from Agartala on October 13. She alleged that a woman, identified as Nishima Ben, told her that film auditions were being held in Bengaluru and persuaded her to travel there.
The minor said she initially refused to travel alone but later agreed. She alleged that she pawned her gold chain to arrange travel expenses and that a man identified as Yuvraj Chowdhury gave her Rs 30,000 against the chain and arranged her air ticket.
She alleged that after reaching Bengaluru airport, a person took her by car to an unknown location. She was told she would be taken to the audition venue the next day, but found there was no film shooting or audition. She was instead asked to do other work, she said.
The girl further alleged that her mobile phone was damaged and its SIM card removed to prevent her from contacting her family. The family was allegedly asked to pay Rs 5 lakh, then Rs 8 lakh and later Rs 2 lakh.
Her family approached the police, who told them that she had flown to Bengaluru at about 12.45 pm on October 13. The family also searched for her in Mumbai on the basis of possible location details but did not find her.
A social worker from Tripura later traced her location and asked the family to travel to Bengaluru. With help from members of a social organisation and local volunteers, the girl was found at a place about 90 km from Bengaluru airport. Her father said several other children and a boy were present there.
Social worker Khokon Chandra Pal said the girl's location was tracked with support from the organisation's members in Bengaluru and Mumbai, leading to her rescue two days earlier. He said Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha monitored the matter and the administration assisted in the rescue process.
Pal expressed concern over suspected networks taking minors from Tripura to different places. He urged parents to remain in regular contact with their children and ensure that minors did not travel alone after being lured by strangers.
