Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable act of courage and presence of mind, security guards at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bus Terminal (BSABT) at Baramunda here foiled a suspected trafficking and kidnapping attempt on Monday late night, rescuing three young women, including a minor.
The three victims were allegedly being forcibly transported outside the district against their will by workers associated with an NGO and an ashram. Panic-stricken and desperate to escape, the young women ran into Baramunda bus stand to save themselves. In a bid to evade their captors, they tried hiding underneath vehicles and stationary buses parked at the terminal.
Female employees from the implicated NGO were spotted chasing after the fleeing girls. Noticing the suspicious and chaotic commotion, the on-duty security personnel at the bus stand immediately intervened and rescued the distressed victims.
“They ran in crying for help and protection. We gave them water and ensured they were kept completely safe from the people pursuing them,” a local eyewitness stated while describing the frantic midnight rescue.
During initial questioning by the security guards, the girls revealed that they were being moved to another region completely against their wishes. Following the revelation, security officials escorted the trio to Baramunda bus stand police outpost and handed them over to local authorities. Later, the victims have since been shifted to a safe home for protection and rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, Capital Police have initiated an investigation into the matter, looking into how the girls were initially taken and where they were being trafficked. CCTV footage from the bus stand and surrounding areas are being examined to identify and apprehend those involved in the abduction attempt.