Mizoram's apex women's association condemns the trafficking and exploitation of Mizo women under the guise of employment, leading to arrests and the rescue of victims from a sex trafficking racket in Uttarakhand.
Key Points
- Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl condemns the trafficking and exploitation of Mizoram women.
- Mizoram police and Uttarakhand police coordinated to arrest suspects involved in the trafficking racket.
- Five Mizo women, including two minors, were rescued from a sex trafficking operation disguised as a spa in Uttarakhand.
- Victims were lured with promises of legitimate employment but forced into prostitution.
- MHIP urges caution for women seeking employment outside Mizoram and calls for community vigilance.
Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), the apex women's association in the state, on Tuesday strongly condemned the alleged trafficking and exploitation of women of Mizoram under the guise of employment outside the state.
The organisation in a statement said that Lalnunsiami (30), a resident of New Diakkawn in Kolasib, and Mohammad (31) of Uttar Pradesh, who allegedly posed as her husband and owned the spa, were arrested in connection with the case by the Mizoram police in coordination with the Uttarakhand police on May 5.
Mizoram Women's Group Demands Justice
Describing the alleged exploitation of fellow Mizo women as "highly condemnable", MHIP asserted that it would continue to pursue the matter to ensure the accused receive stringent punishment under the law.
The women's association also urged young women seeking employment outside Mizoram to remain cautious and appealed to parents to stay informed about their children's workplaces and movements.
Rescue Operation Exposes Trafficking Network
Calling for collective vigilance, MHIP appealed to the public, local communities, and churches to work together in safeguarding Mizo women from trafficking and exploitation networks.
Mizoram police and officials from the state Women and Child Development department, in coordination with Uttarakhand police, have recently rescued five Mizo women, including two minors, from an alleged sex trafficking racket operating under the guise of a spa business in Rudrapur in Uttarakhand.
Six people, including the alleged mastermind and spa owner, have been arrested in connection with the case, Mizoram Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) H. Ramthlengliana had said in a statement earlier.
Victims Lured With False Promises
He had said that the alleged sex trafficking racket surfaced when a survivor escaped their captors and filed an FIR at the All Women Police Station in Aizawl on May 1.
The complainant alleged that she and her friend were lured to work at Beauty Queen Salon and Spa at Rudrapur in Uttarakhand with the promise of legitimate employment and a monthly salary of Rs 20,000.
She said that they travelled to Uttarakhand in October last year after the spa owner arranged and financed their journey.
However, upon reaching the establishment, they were allegedly forced into prostitution and told that "extra services" for clients were mandatory in order to receive their salary.
Forced Prostitution and Escape
The victim alleged that they were forced to entertain three to nine customers daily and were often forced to consume alcohol and intoxicating substances before meeting their clients.
The complaint further stated that whenever they attempted to leave the job, they were prevented from escaping, with the premises reportedly locked to confine them.
However, on April 4, the women managed to escape after breaking the gate lock with tools and returned to Aizawl three days later, where they filed the FIR.
Investigation and Arrests
Following the complaint, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Aizawl South was immediately constituted to investigate the matter.
Acting on information that more Mizo women were still trapped in the network, a joint team from Mizoram Police and the Women and Child Development Department travelled to Uttarakhand on May 4 and raided the spa premises in coordination with Rudrapur police the following day.
Five Mizo women, including two minors, were rescued from the facility during the raid.
Ramhthlengliana had said that six persons, including the spa owner and the mastermind, his Mizo woman partner and another female associate, have been arrested for their involvement in the alleged trafficking and prostitution racket.
The rescued women are currently under the care of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Rudrapur, where they are receiving medical attention and trauma counselling, the IGP had said.
