Dharan, June 18 -- 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 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 ...