A joint rescue operation was conducted by the team of BBA, Prayas Child line and Police department in which 17 girls and women were rescued from an orchestra troop from Bakhtaura village, Raxaul, East Champaran district of Bihar.

Information regarding girls working in an orchestra troop was received from the community by the Child Line in Raxaul, Bihar which is a bordering town with Nepal. As per the information, the complaint was given to the DSP Raxaul and a rescue operation was planned for rescuing the girl children.

During the rescue,  out of the 17 trafficked victims, 13 girls were found to be more than 18 years of age while one girl aged 15 , one 16 and two 17 years old were found to be minors.

Upon verification of the age, 4 girls were found to be under 18 years of age (1 girl- 15 years, 1- 16 years and 2- 17 years of age), rest of the 13 were above the age of 18 years.

The girls were tricked and trafficked from states of West Bengal and Nepal. Some of them were also from East Champaran district of Bihar. The rescued girls have been given mental health support and counseling.

An FIR to be lodged under appropriate sections of law including section 370 of IPC for trafficking. All the girls have been produced before the CWC Motihari and those above 18 will be produced before the Magistrate.

The orchestra manager has been arrested.