Man held for trafficking woman to Kuwait

KATHMANDU: Police on Wednesday said a youth has been arrested for his alleged involvement in trafficking a woman to Kuwait recently.

Issuing a press statement today, the Metropolitan Crime Division said 28-year-old Lawang Tamang of Duwachaur-8 in Sindupalchowk district was arrested from Bahuhdhara in Gokarneshwor Municipality-4, on the northern outskirts of Kathmandu, on Monday.

The victim upon arrival in Nepal on September 1 resorted to MCD, as stated in the statement.

Tamang assured his gullible target of free visa, free ticket and lucrative job offer in Kuwait. Conman Tamang and the victim boarded a bus to New Delhi, on December 11, 2016 and held her captive at a house for nine days in the Indian capital before she flew to Kuwait via Dubai.

Kuwait-based agents Shyam (48) and Mina Lama (31) picked her at airport before handing over to a Kuwaiti employer, according to the statement.

She realised being trafficked after the employer manhandled, sexually abused, tortured and deprived her of food and water. Later, the employer informed her that she was sold for 1600 Kuwaiti Dinar.

"I told the agents Shyam and Mina to return my passport, however, they demanded Rs 4,00,000 for my release, and sold me to various employers and at times left stranded," the victim reported.

With the help of Rescue Nepal INGO and coordination with Nepal Embassy the victim successfully returned home, it said in the statement.

Police are preparing to lodged a case as per the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act 2007. If proven would be sent to jail for 20 years and fined Rs 2,00,000.

Meanwhile, police have send the suspect to Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range for further investigation and action today itself, it said in the statement.