West Bengal Trafficking Bust: In a significant rescue operation that underscores the growing concern of human trafficking in India’s eastern corridor, 56 women were rescued from a Patna-bound train at New Jalpaiguri station on Sunday night. Authorities suspect that the women, hailing from vulnerable districts of North Bengal, were being trafficked under the pretense of lucrative job offers in Bengaluru.
Two individuals accompanying the group have been arrested, and a deeper investigation into the trafficking network has been launched.
West Bengal Trafficking Bust: The Incident
Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel at New Jalpaiguri Junction noticed a large group of women—many appearing anxious and disoriented—boarding the Capital Express without proper documentation or valid train tickets. Upon preliminary inquiry, it was discovered that the women were allegedly en route to Bengaluru for job placements but were instead being transported to Patna, Bihar, which immediately raised red flags.
According to officials, the women, aged between 18 and 30, were mostly from underprivileged areas of Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and other nearby districts. Most of them had no clue about their final destination, and none had confirmed employment letters or any legitimate identification related to job offers.
Arrests and Charges
Two individuals identified as Chandrika Kar of Siliguri and Jitendra Kumar Paswan of North 24 Parganas were taken into custody. They failed to produce legitimate documents or any proof of legal employment arrangements for the women. Authorities believe they are part of a broader trafficking syndicate targeting economically disadvantaged women from North Bengal.
The accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including human trafficking and criminal conspiracy. Law enforcement agencies are now working to trace other members of the trafficking ring, including recruiters, handlers, and financiers.
Victims’ Plight
Many of the rescued women reportedly believed they were heading to Bengaluru to work as domestic helpers, garment workers, or receptionists. Several were promised monthly salaries ranging from ₹12,000 to ₹20,000—figures that seemed highly attractive compared to the income opportunities in their hometowns.
However, they were not told the names of the companies they would be working for, nor were they given appointment letters or employer contact information. Upon learning that they were instead being sent to Bihar, many grew fearful and some confided in fellow passengers, which eventually led to authorities intervening.
Immediate Response and Care
All 56 women were temporarily sheltered in local hostels under the supervision of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), local NGOs, and women’s rights groups. Medical checkups, psychological counselling, and trauma support sessions were arranged. Efforts are being made to reunite them with their families.
The Women and Child Development Department of West Bengal has also initiated the process of offering safe housing, legal support, and vocational training for those who need continued assistance or are unwilling to return home.
Broader Trafficking Trends in North Bengal
This incident is not isolated. Trafficking in the North Bengal region has risen sharply in the past decade. Factors such as poverty, lack of education, limited job opportunities, and frequent natural disasters like floods in the Dooars region make the population—especially young women—more susceptible to traffickers’ promises.
Siliguri, being a transit hub with railway and road links to Assam, Bihar, Nepal, and Bangladesh, has increasingly been identified as a corridor for smuggling and human trafficking. The bust at New Jalpaiguri exposes how traffickers use local transportation networks to move large groups across state lines without arousing suspicion.
What Authorities Are Doing
1. Enhanced Surveillance at Transit Points
- Joint patrols by RPF and Government Railway Police (GRP).
- Deployment of plainclothes officers at stations.
- Use of facial recognition software and passenger behavior profiling.
2. Awareness Drives
- Targeting rural areas, tea garden communities, and tribal belts.
- Educating locals about the risks of fraudulent job offers.
3. Crackdown on Job Racketeering Rings
- Collaboration between police forces of West Bengal, Bihar, and Karnataka.
- Cross-verification of recruitment agencies and middlemen operating in affected zones.
4. Support Services for Survivors
- Helplines, shelter homes, and rehabilitation schemes funded by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- Collaboration with NGOs like Sanlaap, Goranbose Gram Bikash Kendra, and Praajak.
Policy Perspective
Despite the presence of laws like the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 and Section 370 of the IPC, enforcement remains inconsistent. Experts have called for:
- Stronger central tracking of inter-state trafficking networks.
- Mandatory vetting of employment agencies.
- Technology-enabled passenger monitoring systems across key railway nodes.
Moreover, the long-pending Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill, which aims to unify laws against human trafficking, is being pushed for passage in Parliament.
Expert Reactions
Rina Banerjee, Director of a Siliguri-based anti-trafficking NGO, said:
“The girls rescued from New Jalpaiguri could have ended up in brothels or bonded labor. The timely intervention saved lives, but thousands more remain trapped in this vicious cycle.”
Anupam Sen, RPF Senior Commandant, noted:
“We’ve issued an alert across North Bengal’s major railway points. Traffickers are becoming smarter, so our vigilance must also evolve.”
External Resources
For those looking to learn more or support anti-trafficking initiatives:
- Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. of India
- National Human Rights Commission – Human Trafficking Unit
- Childline India Foundation – 1098 Helpline
- Shakti Vahini – Legal Aid & Victim Recovery
Conclusion
The rescue of 56 women from a potential trafficking situation in New Jalpaiguri is both a sobering reminder and a wake-up call. It highlights the urgent need for robust surveillance, proactive governance, community awareness, and survivor-centric rehabilitation. As investigators dig deeper into the criminal network, the success of this operation also demonstrates the power of alert authorities, quick action, and inter-agency cooperation.
Also read: Home | Channel 6 Network – Latest News, Breaking Updates: Politics, Business, Tech & More
