Mumbai: The Social Service branch of the Mumbai Police and members of Rescue Foundation raided a flat in central Mumbai city and rescued 15 women forced into the flesh trade. One person was arrested.
"We got the information that some girls were being forced into prostitution at Kamathipura. So to rescue them, we took the help of the S.S. branch and we have succeeded in freeing them. Some 15 girls have been rescued," said Rescue Foundation Investigation Officer, Nitin Narayan Mangekur.
It is speculated that one or two girls might be minors but the officials said they would get a clear picture only after medical tests are conducted and police have filed charges under the PITA (Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act).
According to United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) officials, human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in South Asia, as over 150,000 people are known to be trafficked within the region every year - for sex work, labor, forced marriages and as part of the organ trade.
Traffickers often take advantage of impoverished communities, luring girls and young women with promises of jobs as maids or nannies in wealthy households in the cities.
ANI
