Guwahati: Six people have been arrested after police rescued a two-and-a-half-year-old child who was allegedly being sold for Rs 55,000 in Assam’s Silchar.
The rescue operation was carried out on Friday night in the Berenga area following a tip-off. Police raided a rented house where the child was allegedly being handed over, rescued the toddler and seized Rs 57,900 in cash from the premises.
According to the police, the investigation revealed that Sultana Begum Laskar, a resident of Jhanjharbali in Sonai in Cachar district, had allegedly been looking to take in a child as she was unable to have one. Through local contacts, she reportedly came into contact with Swapna Begum Laskar and her husband, Bahar Uddin, who allegedly assured her that they could arrange a child.
Police said the couple then contacted Rajmul Ali and his wife, Rosna Begum, residents of Lailapur French Nagar Forest Village under Dholai Police Station. The couple, who have four sons, allegedly agreed to hand over their youngest child, aged two and a half years, in exchange for Rs 55,000.
Acting on specific information, Silchar Police intercepted the alleged transaction before it could be completed and rescued the child.
Those arrested have been identified as Rajmul Ali and Rosna Begum, the child’s parents; Sultana Begum Laskar, the alleged buyer; Nabidul Islam Laskar; Nurul Islam Laskar; and Swapna Begum Laskar, who police alleged acted as an intermediary.
The child has been placed in a shelter home, while further investigation is underway to ascertain whether others were involved in the alleged child trafficking and sale network, police said.