Missing children's parents queue outside Telangana police stations after busting of child trafficking racket

Rachakonda Police rescued 11 girls from BC Colony of Yadagirigutta recently. (Photo for representation: Reuters)

Earlier this month, when the team of Rachakonda Police along with child welfare officers raided the BC Colony of Yadagirigutta in Telangana, they had no idea that it could lead them to the discovery of minor girls who were trafficked.

Now, several families from across the state are queuing outside the local police stations enquiring about their missing children.

The shocking human trafficking racket came to light after the Rachakonda Police got a distress call. An inquiry was ordered following which the police busted a prostitution racket involving minor girls between five and seven years of age.

Initially, it was suspected that the racket was being operated by members of the Dommari community. Police rescued 11 minor girls and six women were arrested in connection with the racket.

MINOR GIRLS PUSHED INTO FLESH TRADE

Police said that the girls were either kidnapped or purchased and pushed into the flesh trade. It has come to light that the accused administered hormonal injections to the girls for early growth. Police have also arrested one doctor for administering these injections to the minor victims. The doctor reportedly charged Rs 25,000 for each girl.

"We have booked the traffickers under several sections and have invoked Preventive Detention (PD) Act. We have also requested seizure of their houses and other properties to concern officers," said CP Mahesh Bhagwat.

As more children are still believed to be trapped, the Telangana Police has sought the help of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh Police to nab at least 20 more absconding traffickers. A special team has also been formed to rescue the children.

While the rescued children have been sent to the rescue home, families across Telangana and even from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh are dropping in at the Yadadri police station to find about their missing child. The authorities has decided to go for DNA testing to ascertain the biological connection of the rescued children before handing over to any claimant.

FAMILIES APPROACH POLICE

"Four years ago my child was playing outside the house when she went missing. We heard about the news on TV and reached here for inquiry. Somebody took my daughter and we have CCTV footage also. We think our child was also among those rescued," said a woman who had reached to the police station with her husband.

Another old man who came to the police station watching the news on television said, "I have come here to find out about my daughter. I request the police to show us the photographs of the rescued girls. She might be one among them."

In March 2017, the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Telangana had rescued 40 girls. Among the rescued girls three tested positive for HIV. In the past two years, 268 woman were rescued from flesh trade by Rachakonda Police itself and 341 traffickers were arrested.

.