Paralakhemundi: In a disturbing case of human trafficking, Odisha Police rescued seven tribal girls from Hyderabad after they were allegedly lured with false promises of jobs and sold for Rs 70,000.
Two accused, including a woman from Hyderabad and a middleman from Odisha have been arrested.
R Udayagiri SDPO Rakesh Sahu told reporters that the victims, all from Gajapati district, were confined in a house and subjected to physical and mental abuse. Six of the rescued girls are minors.
The case came to light after Rimpi Mondal of Dalimbapur village lodged a missing complaint for her sister on June 21. Days later, the girl managed to contact her family, revealing that she and a friend had been taken to Hyderabad by Ishwar Kusilia, who promised them employment.
Acting on this information, a police team from Gajapati district with support of Hyderabad cops raided the residence of Sarita Jain in Hyderabad, rescuing all seven victims.
Police say investigations are ongoing to expose the wider trafficking network and identify other individuals involved.