19/08/2024
We must rescue them. ASAP.
All influencers activists and law enforcement agency, NGo let’s come together and rescue the kids before it’s too late. They have already suffered a lot.
Sameer already has all the details. We just need to take straight action. Suggestions needed. If you’re close to the new government advisors please approach them to fast track this
TRIGGER WARNING: S*x slavery, child prostitution
Sincerely requesting all senior crime reporters, journalists & the Detective Branch to look into this matter.
Rajshahi was a nightmare, I was silent. Not anymore.
S*x trafficking is rampant in Bangladesh, and we all turn a blind eye to it. Judge if you wish… but you CANNOT judge children who are trafficked into the system. What we found out - was horrifying.
DEC, 2023 - I had travelled to Rajshahi w/ my team for a client shoot. While trying local favourites like “Ranar Mishti with luchi” a creator friend had suggested to us - we noticed a crazy number of residential hotels in the area, each with an old-aged man outside. Strange? These men are actually ‘pimps’ who are asking every passerby to book rooms (800 BDT/night) with additional services (you can guess?). “Anondo korben, bebostha ase?” we laughed at our colleague who a pimp had whispered to, and then he says “kochi, SCHOOL er meyeo ase”… this was very disturbing. I suddenly froze. Without even asking, he pops his phone open and starts showing him explicit pictures of 12-13 year old girls… all saved on his WhatsApp.
Later, to investigate the matter, we called every surrounding hotel by phone and discovered that most offer such explicit services. Remember, this is illegal. One of our auto rickshaw drivers confessed to his sexual visits, and shared that underage girls are more in-demand - and introduced us to a pimp who was willing to tell us the bigger picture. We secretly recorded a conversation (*inaudible*) where the pimp told us these hotels with 8-10 rooms who charge 800 BDT per night pay the authorities 2,00,000 BDT every month! It gets worse. Many of these girls are NOT prostitutes, nor child prostitutes - they are S*X slaves. They are kept in the top floors of these hotels, and never allowed to leave.
After asking too many questions in the area, we were misled into a building by a pimp where 15-20 armed gang members had surrounded us. I had fully believed my colleague & myself would be tortured or beaten to death. By some strange coincidence, they thought we were a part of the authorities - and decided to let us go. The underworld of Bangladesh is politically motivated, thus I could not speak up for so long.
This is an awareness post, and it is exclusively based on our first-hand experience & observations. To accurately verify the extent of this heinous crime, and work towards justice - a professional is more competent than an influencer. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, I did not speak up earlier. I’m sorry for that. I pray our reformed Bangladesh will be safer for all 🙏
