Sex racket in NGO garb unearthed in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 17 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir police today claimed to have unearthed yet another sex racket being run in the garb of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the valley with the arrest of four girls and five pimps from Handwara area in Kupwara district.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Kupwara-Baramulla) Abdul Subhan Lone told reporters that Abdul Majeed Bhat, who was running the NGO, Women's Welfare Organisation, in Handwara area, was arrested in connection with the flesh trade scandal.

He said police on August 8 arrested Bhat, the Chairman of the NGO, his son Abdul Waheed, Abdul Ghani Mir, Ghulam Mohammad, Khursheed Ahmed Awaan and Sumo driver Nazir Ahmed Tantray from Rajouri in Jammu region where they had taken the four girls.

Mushtaq Ahmed Sofi, a lecturer in Degree College, Handwara, has also been arrested.

Bhat admitted before the police that he was running the scandal since the past one year and named 40 girls involved in the racket.

Mr Lone said one of the 40 girls had earlier committed suicide and police were investigating the matter.

Police have registered the case and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.

Police have also sealed the office of the NGO and seized all records.

Mr Lone said more arrests were expected in connection with the sex racket.

UNI AG MSJ DB2147