In a major breakthrough, the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) foiled a suspected human trafficking attempt on Monday night and rescued 56 young women from the Patna-bound Capital Express at New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station.
The women from various North Bengal districts were reportedly being lured to Bengaluru under false promises of jobs in a private sectors. Two suspects — a man named Jitendra Paswan from Kolkata and a woman named Chandrika from Siliguri — have been arrested in connection with the case. The police are now probing a possible trafficking racket operating under the guise of job recruitment.
According to officials, security personnel became suspicious during a routine check when they found a large group of young women traveling together on the Patna-bound train without valid tickets. Instead, coach and berth numbers were found stamped on their hands — an unusual and alarming detail that raised red flags. "None of them had proper tickets or any identification suggesting they were part of a legitimate recruitment drive. Their gave reference of a company named ‘iPhone’, which does not appear to be connected to any known employer," said a GRP officer.
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Preliminary investigations revealed that the women were misled by the accused, who promised them job opportunities in Bengaluru. However, they were found traveling on a train headed in the opposite direction which intensified suspicions of foul play. When questioned separately, both the accused came up with unsatisfactory explanations failing to provide any employment contracts to justify the group’s travel. Their statements were found to be inconsistent, prompting their immediate arrest.
The rescued women, mostly from Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Dooars, were later reunited with their families after verification. Police have informed that family members were contacted promptly following the rescue operation.
"We suspect that this may be part of a wider human trafficking network operating under the cover of job placements," said the GRP officer official, adding, “We are currently investigating their backgrounds, communication patterns, and any potential links to trafficking syndicates." Authorities have launched a detailed probe to trace others potentially involved in the racket and to verify the existence of the so-called private company the women were promised jobs at. The West Bengal Police, along with other central agencies, are also expected to assist in the investigation.
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