Women and Minors Being Made 'Pedlers' to Evade Police Scrutiny, Several Arrested and Protected in Recent Cases
Bhagalpur, Chief Correspondent: A very concerning and dangerous face of crime is currently emerging in the Bhagalpur district. Smugglers and mafias involved in the trade of narcotics (substances), illicit liquor, cannabis (ganja), and brown sugar have adopted a new and cunning tactic to escape strict police action. These syndicates are now using women and underage minor children as 'peddlers' (couriers or carriers). Lured by a small amount of money or coercion, these innocent people and women are becoming vehicles for transporting illegal consignments from one place to another, evading the eyes of the law. In recent days, after the arrest of several women and the protective custody of minors in actions taken by police across various police stations, the layers of this dark trade have come wide open.
Modus Operandi Being Adopted to Evade Police
Investigations by Bhagalpur police's intelligence and anti-narcotics wing have revealed that major drug smugglers and liquor mafias are afraid of coming onto the police radar themselves. Due to police vigilance and continuous raids, smugglers have now begun putting forward faces whom the police generally do not suspect.
These mafias target youths and women from poor neighborhoods or remote areas. They are being pushed into this quagmire by offering temptations of a few thousand rupees or through intimidation. While women easily carry liquor and cannabis hidden inside bags, sacks, or clothing, minor children transport small-weight drugs (such as brown sugar or banned cough syrup) to fixed destinations either on bicycles or on foot.
Major Cases and Arrests Witnessed in Recent Days
Police actions in various police station areas of Bhagalpur recently bear witness to how women and minors are being pushed into this illegal trade:
Lohia Pul and Kotwali Area: On June 19, near Lohia Pul under the Kotwali police station area, police took two minors coming from Jharkhand into protective custody. Both these minors were bringing a large quantity (around 58 bottles) of foreign liquor from Jharkhand to Bhagalpur via an auto-tempo. Cunning smugglers had deliberately roped the children into this work so that they would not be suspected during police checking.
Tatarpur and Habibpur Connection: On July 16, Tatarpur police arrested Mohd. Chhotu, a resident of Pankha Toli under the Habibpur police station area, and also took a minor into protective custody. Along with weapons and mobile phones, several crucial clues related to the illegal trade came to light, confirming the use of minors.
Involvement of Women at Railway Stations (Ganja and Liquor Smuggling): Operations conducted by the GRP (Government Railway Police) team at the Bhagalpur railway station have also revealed several shocking disclosures. On March 17, two women (Anita and Sugni, residents of Chhoti Parbatta, Naugachia) were arrested from the railway station with 6 kg of cannabis. Interrogation revealed that they were planning to smuggle a large consignment of cannabis to Delhi via the Vikramshila Express train, which had direct links to an interstate gang. Similarly, in the months of May and April, several other women including Putul Devi and Kanti Devi were arrested with large quantities of country-made and foreign liquor from Barbarganj, Mojahidpur, and railway station premises.
Toying with the Future of Innocents and Social Concern
The exploitation and use of women and children in this manner by these cunning merchants of the underworld is a grave warning bell for society. Trapped in this vortex of exploitation, underage children are stepping into the world of crime. Once they become part of this illegal trade, it becomes difficult for them to exit the world of crime. Furthermore, families whose women get caught in this kind of smuggling are socially and economically completely ruined.
Administrative Rigor and Police's Future Strategy
Witnessing this growing trend, the Bhagalpur police administration has also modified its strategy. According to senior police officials' directives, police stations are no longer limiting themselves to main smugglers alone; every pawns in this syndicate who uses women and children from behind the scenes is being kept under surveillance.
Counseling and Awareness: Efforts are being made by the police and social organizations to visit remote and sensitive neighborhoods to make youth and women aware so that they do not ruin their lives by falling into anyone's trap.
Strict Legal Action: Under the Juvenile Justice Act and the NDPS Act, police are taking main masterminds involved in such cases on remand for interrogation to unmask them.
The use of women and minors as peddlers in the illegal drug trade demonstrates how low criminals can stoop. Recent operations in Bhagalpur have exposed that if society and the administration do not unite to dismantle this nexus in time, this crime will completely consume the future of the younger generation. Police readiness and social awareness in this direction are the only ways to curb this menace.
