Bhubaneswar, June 9: A human trafficking racket operating from the state capital was exposed after police rescued three girls, including a minor, from Baramunda Bus Stand in Bhubaneswar on Monday night.

According to reports, the girls were allegedly being trafficked outside Odisha by individuals posing as NGO workers. The incident came to light when the victims were waiting for a bus near the service road adjacent to the Baramunda overbridge on NH-16 at around 11 pm.

The girls were reportedly under the watch of suspected traffickers, preventing them from seeking help. However, one of the girls managed to approach a security guard at the bus stand gate on the pretext of using the washroom and informed him about their situation.

Acting swiftly, the security personnel rescued the girls and handed them over to the Baramunda Outpost Police. The three victims were later shifted to a short-stay home, while police began questioning them to gather more details about the alleged trafficking network.

The suspected traffickers managed to flee from the bus stand before police arrived. Investigators are now examining CCTV footage from the area to identify and trace those involved.

Police suspect the girls were being lured and trafficked to another state on the false promise of employment. Further investigation is underway.