Rab yesterday arrested a sub-inspector of Armed Police Battalion and a woman on charges of forcing children into prostitution in Sylhet.

Rab said it rescued two 12-year-old girls and recovered 60 yaba pills from a flat in the city's Dariapara area around 12:45am.

Rokon Uddin Bhuiyan, 40, of Armed Police Battalion-7 in Sylhet, had brought the girls from villages in the district, promising their parents of finding work for their children. But they were engaged in prostitution, said Moniruzzaman, public relations officer of Rab-9.

His accomplice Rima Begum, 35, of Netrakona, was also arrested, the officer said, adding that that the suspects also forced the children to take yaba.

“Tipped off, a Rab team raided the rented flat and busted the gang at night.”

The suspects were handed over to Kotwali Police Station.