Kolkata, August 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has foiled an alleged human trafficking attempt along the India-Nepal border, rescuing six girls, including four minors, and detaining two suspected traffickers, officials said on Thursday.
The incident took place around 6.30 p.m. during routine checking at Old Bridge in Panitanki, where the Border Intelligence Team (BIT) of ‘D’ Company, Panitanki, 41st Battalion, intercepted a group comprising six girls and two men while they were allegedly attempting to cross into Nepal.
Suspecting a trafficking attempt, the SSB’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Sector Headquarters at Ranidanga, and NGO Kosi Lok Manch were alerted. The Intelligence Bureau and other agencies also joined the subsequent interrogation.
According to officials, preliminary questioning indicated that Anna, a Cooch Behar resident, and Vicky Kaushik, manager of Lotus Dance Bar in Biratnagar, Nepal, were allegedly involved in facilitating the movement of minor girls across the border.
They were reportedly in contact with Nirmal Debbarma of Tripura and Chinmay Basak of Jalpaiguri for arranging girls for the Lotus Dance Bar, officials said. Kaushik allegedly made the girls dance at the establishment and participate in other activities for customers.
All six rescued girls are residents of different districts of Tripura.
The two men accompanying them were identified as Nirmal Debbarma, 25, of Dhalai district in Tripura, and Chinmay Basak, 32, of Maynaguri in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal.
Following counselling, the girls were handed over to Kharibari police station. Authorities said they would be reunited with their families after further inquiry, while legal action would be initiated against the two suspected traffickers.
A search is underway for Anna, while authorities will request their counterparts in Nepal to take appropriate action against Kaushik.
Officials said human trafficking remains a major concern along the India-Nepal border, where citizens of the two countries enjoy relatively unrestricted cross-border movement.
The SSB maintains heightened vigilance and conducts sensitisation programmes for its personnel and local communities. Special camps and workshops are also organised in border districts to raise awareness about trafficking and prevention measures.
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