Jaigaon/Siliguri, Jan. 5: Nine boys were rescued and six suspected child traffickers arrested from a hotel in Banarhat last night.

The boys, all between eight and 17 years and residents of Tulsipara Tea Estate, were supposed to leave for Sikkim today to work as “grass cutters” in exchange of food, accommodation and an annual wage of Rs 5,000.

Around 8pm yesterday, the suspected traffickers — identified as Liladhar Dhungel, Vikram Chhetri, Agam Dhungel, Tata Koel, Hariprasad Pokhrel and Somnath Dhungel — checked into the hotel along with the nine boys.

“We were playing football when these people (the suspected traffickers) came and offered us jobs in Sikkim. They told us that we have to cut grasses and would get food, clothing and accommodation. Also, Rs 5,000 would be paid to us every year,” one of the boys said. “When some of us agreed, they took us to the Banarhat hotel.”

Khokon Dutta, the manager of the hotel, said as the suspected traffickers could not produce any proof of identification, he initially denied them boarding. “However, on their insistence, I allowed them to stay in Room 9.”

After the check-in, the six persons took the boys to a nearby eatery run by Sujit Kar. “Seeing the group, I became suspicious. By then, local people also smelt something wrong and started questioning them. The intention of the six soon came to light and the police were informed,” Dutta said.

A member of a local NGO, a club and the leader of a tribal outfit took the initiative to inform the police. They also contacted the parents of the minor boys.

By the time, the police arrived at the spot and took everybody to the Banarhat police station, the parents had started trickling in from Tulsipara, located on the outskirts of Banarhat.

“We were searching for our sons since afternoon when we got phone calls that they were at the police station. We have no clue as to who these people (suspected traffickers) are and how they managed to elude with our children,” said George Munda, a parent.

The police have started an investigation. “A case has been registered against the six suspected traffickers for attempting to take away the boys to Sikkim without the permission of their parents,” said Anand Kumar, the superintendent of police of Jalpaiguri. “We are carrying out investigation to get more information about the six persons.”

Today, the boys and the suspected traffickers were sent to a Jalpaiguri court from where the minors were supposed to be handed over to their parents. They, however, could not be produced in court as the work there was suspended following the death of a law clerk.

The police later handed over the boys to their parents. The suspected traffickers were sent to Jalpaiguri Central Jail and are likely to be produced in court tomorrow.