Cachar Police Rescues Minor Girls Trafficked to Rajasthan for Forced Marriage, Accused From Rajasthan Arrested

In a significant breakthrough, Cachar Police successfully rescued two minor girls trafficked from Barak Valley to Rajasthan for forced marriage. The operation, conducted with the assistance of Rajasthan Police, also led to the arrest of one accused, Leela Ram, even as the key traffickers remain at large.

The two victims, both 15 years old and from Gumrah Tea Estate in Cachar district, were lured with promises of jobs in Hyderabad by two women, Rupali Dutta and Ganga Ganju. One of the girls, Junali (name changed), managed to escape and return home, revealing that they were trafficked to another state and coerced into marriage.

An FIR was registered at Kalain Police Station on January 24 by a complainant from Gumrah Tea Estate, stating that on January 5, the two accused women had taken his daughter and another girl from their village under false pretenses. Junali later confirmed that they had been trafficked and that her friend, Pubali (name changed), was still missing. Based on a phone call from an unknown number, Cachar Police investigators traced Pubali to Rajasthan.

Acting swiftly, Cachar Police launched a recovery operation under Kalain PS Case No. 15/25. On March 4, a police team led by WSI Maheswari Das, along with LNK Bappi Sinha, WLNK Lakhi Nath Chanda, and UBC Hridoy Sigas, flew to Jaipur with the complainant to rescue Pubali. With the cooperation of Jaipur Rural Superintendent of Police Anand Sharma and Chandwaji Police Station officers, the Assam Police team successfully located the victim.

In a dramatic turn of events, while the rescue team was present in Rajasthan, another minor girl from Sribhumi district, who had also been trafficked, recognised the Assam Police officers by their uniform and also as they were conversing in Sylheti and pleaded for help. Further investigation confirmed that her father had filed a missing report in Patharkandi Police Station on December 9, 2024. Following instructions from SP Cachar, the team rescued both minors and initiated legal proceedings.

On March 7, the police team returned to Silchar with the two rescued girls and accused Leela Ram, after obtaining his transit remand from a Jaipur court. It was revealed that Leela Ram, a daily wage earner, had purchased Pubali for Rs. 4 lakh to marry her, as the male to female ratio in the region was in shambles. Due to the lack of identification documents for the Sribhumi victim, senior police officers of Cachar coordinated with Rajasthan Police, CISF, and airline personnel to ensure her safe travel.

Preliminary investigations revealed that traffickers Rupali Dutta and Ganga Ganju are linked to an extensive human trafficking network operating across Assam, particularly targeting tea garden areas in Upper and South Assam. The duo allegedly collaborates with multiple associates statewide and even beyond.

Speaking on the case, Cachar Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta stated, “The minor girl was lured with false promises of a job and taken to Hyderabad before being sold in Rajasthan. After tracing her location, our team coordinated with Rajasthan Police and launched a rescue mission. Shockingly, another girl from the same region was found to be trafficked and was also rescued.”

He further added, “The accused who married the trafficked girl, Leela Ram, has been apprehended. The key operatives of the racket are currently absconding, but we are confident of nabbing them soon. This trafficking network has deep roots across Assam, especially in tea garden areas of South Assam and Upper Assam, and we will ensure strict action against all involved.”

After a medical check-up, both rescued girls were handed over to their families as per legal procedures. Authorities have assured that efforts are underway to dismantle the trafficking network and bring all culprits to justice.