Kathmandu, November 14

Police have arrested a woman, who had allegedly sold her niece to a brothel in New Delhi seven years ago.

Krishna Maya Lama aka Kanchhi Tamang, the victim’s aunt from Surya Gadhi Rural Municipality, Nuwakot, had been living in Kathmandu.

The victim, aged 14 then, came to Kathmandu from her village in Nuwakot in 2011, seeking refuge at her aunt’s place. The victim had left her village after her mother died in an accident and father left her after getting married for the second time.

When the victim came to Kathmandu to live with her, Tamang provided her a job at a small eatery for a few months in Chapagaun, Lalitpur.

Later,Tamang trafficked her to India, on the pretext of taking her back to her hometown, for her education, in January 2012. The girl was drugged and trafficked to New Delhi via r. In New Delhi, she was sold to a brothel owner for INR 10,000, according to police.

Anti-human trafficking bureau of Nepal Police arrested Tamang yesterday from Budhanilkantha area of Kathmandu. She was taken into custody after the victim was rescued and brought to Kathmandu, a few months ago.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Anupam Sumsher JB Rana at anti-human trafficking bureau of Nepal Police said the victim was given Oxytocin hormone vaccine, which has been used illegally at brothels to speed up puberty among child sex workers.

“She was given the injection three times for several months,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police  Sumsher. After few months, she was forced into sex trade which continued for seven years.

A few months ago, a Nepali client at the brothel met the victim and befriend her.

A couple of months later, the same person with the support of Maiti Nepal, an organisation that has been working for the victims of human trafficking, rescued her.

Upon returning Nepal she filed FIR against two persons for human trafficking.

Police has yet to nab another accused Sher Bahadur Lama, 42, in the human trafficking case.