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Gopalganj / Patna : Nine underage girls who were allegedly trafficked and forced to perform in illegal orchestra groups have been rescued in a joint early morning raid in Gopalganj district, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The operation, carried out on the instructions of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), targeted three locations — Mohammadpur, Khorampur, and Baikunthpur — following reports that minors had been trafficked from across state lines and were being sexually exploited under the guise of dance performances.
A team comprising the Gopalganj Police, Child Welfare Committee members, and representatives from various rescue organisations including Mission Mukti Foundation, Rescue Foundation, Narayani Seva Sansthan, and Rescue and Relief Foundation West Bengal, carried out the raids. The operation was led by Cyber DSP Avantika and Mahila SHO Alka Kumari.
Two people — Abhay Patel of Mahmadpur and Rekha Devi of Bhagalpur — were arrested in connection with the case. Police say both were involved in trafficking the girls, many of whom were lured with false promises of domestic work or regular wages in entertainment.
“The girls had been kept in these locations for months, some even over a year,” said Virendra Kumar Singh, director of Mission Mukti Foundation. “Most were brought in under false pretences, told they would be working in homes. In reality, they were coerced into dancing in orchestras. Some were never paid, and several didn’t even know how much they were owed.”
Of the rescued girls, seven are from West Bengal and two from Bihar’s Bhagalpur district. Medical examinations have been conducted and the minors are now in a safe shelter at a government-run child protection home in Siwan.
Investigation officer Akshay Pandey of the Rescue Foundation said some girls had been recruited through acquaintances or friends, lured by offers of Rs 2,000 per night during the wedding season. “Once they wanted to leave, they were told they could only go after the season ended,” he said.
The NHRC had earlier received credible intelligence about trafficking activities in the area. Acting on this, member Priyank Kanoongo wrote to the Gopalganj Superintendent of Police urging urgent intervention. An FIR has since been registered, and officials say further arrests and legal proceedings are expected.
“This is just one example of the widespread exploitation hidden under cultural fronts,” said Akhilendra Singh of Narayani Seva Sansthan. “There are likely more such cases waiting to be uncovered.”
