MORIGAON KIDNEY RACKET

A CORRESPONDENT

JAGIROAD: Hit by acute poverty, some villagers in Assam are selling off their kidneys. The development came to light after people of the Dakshin Dharamtul village in Morigaon district apprehended an "agent" and two others and handed them over to the police earlier this week.

An illegal kidney trade was unearthed at Dakhin Dharamtul under Nellie Police Station in Morigaon district on Monday. Police have arrested Lilimai Boro of Lokhra (Guwahati) and seized cash and other documents. Sources said that the woman on Monday reached Dakhin Dharamtul in connection with advance payment to some would-be kidney donors. Suspecting something fishy, the local people informed the police. Sources added that the woman had already picked up many more poor people from the area by luring them with Rs 5 to Rs 6 lakh. But it is alleged that after the kidney donation, the donors are deprived of the money. The racket has been traced to a reputed private hospital in Kolkata. Meanwhile, police have booked several other people as well. Further investigation is on. Local residents told the media that at least 31 people from Dakshin Dharamtul and adjoining villages have reportedly sold off a kidney each so far.

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