An 18-year-old Nepali girl, who was being trafficked to India, has been rescued by an NGO on her way to India on Thursday, reported the Himalayan Times. 

The girl, a resident of Kanchanpur district in Sudurpashchim province, was intercepted mid-way by Maiti Nepal, an NGO that works for the victims of human trafficking in the Himalayan nation, while she attempted crossing the Dodhara Chandani suspension bridge. 

A 20-year-old Indian man, named Jan Muhammad, lured the girl into believing that she would become a police officer in India with his help, informed Maheshwari Bhatta, the district coordinator of Maiti Nepal. 

However, the man, when was questioned, said he intended to marry the girl after taking her to India. On the other hand, the girl claimed that Muhammad promised to help her becoming a police officer in India. 

The suspect has been taken into custody by Kanchanpur District Police which is investigating the case. The girl was shifted to a facility of the NGO. 

Data shows each year, thousands of Nepali girls are trafficked to India and other Gulf countries on the promise of jobs and better lives. However, most end up being either bonded laborers or sex workers. 

And this human tragedy in the Himalayan country has been exacerbated by poverty and lack of economic opportunities.  

Over the years, the government and various social groups have taken measures to counter the problem.