Lost Uttar Pradesh minor sparks flesh trade fears

AHMEDABAD: A 10-year-old girl from Uttar Pradesh roaming in Juhapura on Saturday led to speculation that she might have been lured into prostitution. She was then taken to Vejalpur police station. The police then solved the mystery as her local guardian searching for her also approached the police station at the same time. After verifying the facts, the police handed the girl over to the guardian and ordered to send her home.
Talking about the incident, J H Jalu, inspector of Vejalpur police station, told TOI that the community leaders at Juhapura observed a 10-year-old girl roaming around in the area banging on the doors of residents. They initially thought her as one of the beggars and offered her food. When she declined it and repeatedly told them to take her home, they took her seriously and took her to police station thinking she could be a victim of flesh trade.
"When Asma, the girl, came here, another youth identified as Hamid Khan Pathan, also came searching for her with her photograph in hand. We then asked him to explain.
He told us that Asma is a native of Sitapur near Gorakhpur and is the daughter of a domestic help at his wife's residence. When Pathan's wife conceived a child, Asma tagged along to help her out and it was decided that she would be back after a month when his wife was to return," said Jalu.
Then why did she try to escape? Investigators said that Asma's elder sister was to marry later this month and she wanted to attend the wedding. However, Pathan refused to take her and asked her to wait for some time before they can return to Sitapur. This did not go down well with her and she left home.
"We are keeping an eye on Pathan and have ordered him to take her to her native as soon as possible," said Jalu.