Kolkata, Dec 5 (IANS): In the wake of a child smuggling racket being unearthed in the state, the West Bengal government on Monday announced setting up a panel for prevention of child trafficking.

Making the announcement in the assembly, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the panel will be headed by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee and will comprise members from the opposition parties - Congress and the Communist Party of India-Marxist.

The other members of the panel will be state Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and the Director General of Police.

"This racket is spread to far-flung areas and linked to different states. Around 24 people have been arrested in this connection," Banerjee told the assembly.

The CID busted the racket in November after raiding a nursing home and polyclinic in Baduria in North 24 Parganas district.

Subsequently, police recovered three children including a baby girl from South 24 Parganas district, while 10 more newborn girls were recovered from a Kolkata-based old age home in November.

The opposition Congress has been demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the inter-state child smuggling racket.