Police have arrested six persons for allegedly running a prostitution racket under the garb of a non-governmental organisation in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.
"We have arrested six executive members of an NGO who were allegedly involved in flesh trade activities and were exploiting girls by promising jobs outside Kashmir Valley to them," Handwara Superintendent of Police Haseeb Mughal said.
He said the case came to light after some parents lodged a complaint with the police in Handwara, Kupwara, that their daughters had been kidnapped by the NGO Women Organisation Art Centre.
Mughal said a case of rape, abduction and criminal conspiracy has been registered against the arrested persons.
Four of the girls had gone to Rajouri in Jammu and were lodged at a hotel. However, one of them raised a hue and cry which caused suspicion among the hotel staff who informed the police.
He said local police initially booked the persons for creating a scene in public. But after the complaint received by the parents of the girls, they were brought to Handwara from Rajouri, questioned and medically examined.
Mughal said the girls, aged between 17 and 18, have named 'some influential people' in Handwara area and police are investigating the charge.
{{/usCountry}}Mughal said the girls, aged between 17 and 18, have named 'some influential people' in Handwara area and police are investigating the charge.
{{/usCountry}}The state was rocked by violent protests in April and May this year after another sex scam in which some top politicians, bureaucrats, police and security force officers were allegedly involved. Eighteen persons have been arrested in connection with that case so far.