SUSPECTED HUMAN TRAFFICKER ARRESTED IN KOLKATA

From P.Vijian

NEW DELHI, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- An Indian national, Joyti Rana, who is high
on Delhi police's wanted list, was arrested in Kolkata airport on Sunday.

The 40-year-old, believed to be the mastermind of the racket supplying girls
to South-East Asian countries, was heading to Kolkata from Malaysia via Bangkok
on an Air India Express flight.

Rahul Srivastav, North-24 Parganas District Superintendent of Police, in
West Bengal, said Joyti had travelled to Malaysia twice.

"She was coming to Kolkata from Malaysia when we arrested her. There was a
lookout notice issued by the Delhi police and we detained her.

"We are investigating if she is supplying labour force under 21 (years old)
and trafficking woman. Delhi police are coming today to further investigate
her," he told Bernama here on Tuesday.

The arrest has also triggered off a flurry of activities among top Indian
security officials.

They are trying to piece together evidence to see if Joyti was linked to any
Pakistani-based terrorist outfits, as she was reported to be in possession of a
mobile phone containing Pakistani telephone numbers and anti-Indian documents.

Meanwhile, according to the Times of India, a senior Delhi crime officer,
who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "We have information that the accused
arranged fake visas for countries like Turkey and Malaysia, and she had already
sent 250 people, including several girls to various countries."

No other arrests had been made so far.

-- BERNAMA