Police in Itahari, Sunsari district, have rescued 12 teenage girls—including two minors—who had been allegedly held captive for three days in a local hotel under the pretext of providing employment.

The girls, who arrived in response to online job advertisements, were locked in a single room of Bandana Hotel in Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City-9, according to police.

The rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday with the help of human rights activists and organisations, including the Voice of Children and local police personnel, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Laxmi Bhandari.

“Among the rescued, two are minors and have been medically examined and relocated to a secure location. The others are under police protection at the same hotel while investigations continue,” Bhandari confirmed.

Bharat Thapa, province head of Voice of Children Koshi Province, said the girls had been held in a single room and were subjected to mistreatment.

According to Lila Bhujel, an officer with Voice of Children’s cyber safety project in Itahari, the victims were drawn in by advertisements posted on social media by a company called Bless Global International, which promised monthly salaries ranging from Rs15,000 to Rs30,000.

Bhujel stated that some of the girls reported being subjected to sexual abuse during their captivity. “Efforts are underway to contact their families and arrange for their safe return,” she added.

Police have arrested two individuals who were allegedly operating as marketing managers for the company.

Further investigation is underway, the police said.