Arwal: In a major crackdown on human trafficking, the CID Patna along with the Arwal police, raided a red-light area in Arwal city that had been operating for years in a residential locality. The operation, conducted at 3 AM on Wednesday, led to the rescue of 11 girls, including five to six minors aged between 12 to 15 years.
During the raid, eight suspects were detained, while many others managed to flee after getting wind of the police operation. Several houses in the area were found locked during the search.
According to police, the girls had been trafficked from different parts of the country, including Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Muzaffarpur (Bihar), and West Bengal. Acting on this intelligence, CID officials contacted Arwal SP Dr. Inam Ul Haq Mengnoo, and a raid was launched under the leadership of DSP Dev Kumar.
A team of over 50 police personnel and women officers surrounded the area and searched every house, leading to the rescue of 11 victims. The detained suspects were taken to the city police station for interrogation by the CID team.
During the initial probe, the families of three rescued girls provided evidence of their identities, while details about the remaining victims remain unknown. Authorities suspect that the girls were trafficked for prostitution and are conducting further investigations.
SP Dr. Inam Ul Haq Mengnoo stated, “Only after a thorough investigation will we be able to determine the exact circumstances of these girls. An FIR has been registered, and legal action will be taken based on further evidence.”
Currently, the rescued girls have been shifted to a short-stay home at the district headquarters for their safety.
History of Human Trafficking in Arwal’s Red-Light Area
The red-light area in Arwal district headquarters has long been notorious for human trafficking and the sale of girls for prostitution. Previous police raids have also led to the rescue of minor girls from the area.
