Chennai: In Tamil Nadu, a group of human rights and women activists have rescued a 17-year-old girl from a prostitution den in Villupuram. The case, they allege, points to a statewide human trafficking racket.
"They cut me with a knife and burnt me with hot iron rods and cigarettes. I have been tortured," said the victim.
There are 50 odd cuts and burns on the 17-year-old girl`s body. Injuries were inflicted on her by a gang of pimps. Under the pretext of employing her for domestic chores in Villupuram, the gangsters, she says forced her into commercial sex for the last seven months.
The victim had lost her father at a tender age and was deserted by her mother, a daily wage earner. A fortnight ago, a Villupuram based lawyer got information from local people about the racket, and with the help of the police rescued the girl as she was being shifted to Trichy.
"Only five persons have been arrested. The main person Chitra is yet to be arrested," said Lucia, advocate and activist.
Activists say the victim rescued is just one among hundreds of minor and young women who are trapped by a single gang operating across Tamil Nadu. They claim the gang involved has brothels at Chennai, Villupuram, Puducherry, Cuddalore and Salem.
"Many minor girls are being trapped and sold in different centres in Tamil Nadu," said Jose, convener, human rights movement.
When contacted, senior police officials told NDTV that efforts are on to track down the kingpin of what seems like a well organised statewide commercial sex racket.