Child trafficking: Two women held, three juvenile rescued

April 17, 2013

Mangalore, Apr 17: Based on a tip-off, Bangalore CoD police raided a house in Kulai on the outskirts of the city on Tuesday and took to custody two women, who were reportedly involved in child-trafficking, and handed them over to Suratkal police for interrogation.

Three minors were rescued from the house, who were later sent to remand home.

The main accused Tara (30), hailing from Belur taluk in Hassan district and Deepa (25) from Chikmagalur district are the two women detained by the CoD sleuths.

Accused

The detained duo operated in several districts under various names. Enticing young and naïve children with alluring promises, they would later push them into the network.

Tara had been residing in Kulai from the past 13 years and had developed a wide network. According to the CoD police, she revealed that she had coaxed several children till date into immoral activities. During interrogation, she is also purported to have revealed that she had carried on with the illegal activities unnoticed as she had the support of local social leaders and representatives.

The other accused Deepa had reportedly been staying with the main accused from the past three years. It has also been discovered during the investigation that Tara had been successful in disengaging Deepa from her marriage for her assistance in running the trade.

The team of sleuths was led by CoD inspector Anil Kumar. Police have also taken into custody a minor girl working as a help in the home of a professor in Mangalore.

Girl rescued

The raid in Kulai was conducted by the CoD police on the basis of information received from a minor girl rescued in a raid in Bangalore.

Upon inquiry, the girl, who is an orphan from Shivajinagar in Mysore, revealed that the main accused Tara had brought her to Mangalore on the pretext of providing her education.

However, instead of sending her to school, she made her work as a domestic help in the initial days, and later began pushing her into the sex trade. The girl was forcibly taken and made to stay in various lodges with the help of auto-rickshaw drivers.

For a period of six months, she was taken to various lodges in Suratkal, Padubidri and Brahmavar and was forced into prostitution.

Even in Bangalore when the girl worked at a hotel in Kumaraswamy Layout, the accused Deepa forced her to indulge into various illegal activities. She was found by the police when the hotel was raided, and was later sent to a remand home.

The police were thus able to gather vast information from the girl and made arrests based on the information.

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Warning! Cancer-causing chemicals found in bakery products, especially cakes in Karnataka

News Network

October 3,2024

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Food Safety and Quality Department has issued an urgent warning following the discovery of potentially cancer-causing chemicals in cakes sold by certain bakeries across the state.

Recent tests conducted by the department revealed that some cake samples, particularly those with vibrant colors, contain harmful synthetic coloring agents such as Allura Red, a substance known to pose health risks. The findings have raised concerns about the use of artificial colors in bakery products, especially given their potential link to cancer and other serious health conditions.

"We routinely test various food products, and this time, our officials noticed unusually dark-colored cakes on the market," said Srinivas K, Commissioner of Food Safety for Karnataka. "Upon testing, we found that a few cakes contained Allura Red, a synthetic dye associated with health risks."

The use of artificial colors, especially in popular cakes like red velvet and pineapple varieties, is widespread as it attracts customers, particularly children. However, many bakers prefer using natural, safer alternatives, while some opt for synthetic dyes to enhance the cake's visual appeal.

"Most bakeries use permissible, natural colors that are safe for consumption. Unfortunately, a few are resorting to synthetic dyes just to make their cakes more attractive," said a bakery owner from Electronic City, speaking anonymously.

Medical experts are warning that consuming synthetic colors can lead to numerous health issues, including asthma and allergic reactions.

"Some of these artificial dyes are carcinogenic, and prolonged exposure could have serious consequences, especially for children and young adults," cautioned Dr. Vandana G, a private medical practitioner.

While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) confirms that only a limited number of samples tested positive for harmful colors, legal action is being taken against the violators.

"There is no need for widespread panic or halting production. We are closely monitoring the situation, and only a few bakeries were found to be non-compliant. Rest assured, appropriate legal measures are underway," assured an FSSAI official.

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