Following the increasing number of cases related to trafficking of girls, women and children to neighboring India, Nepal Police are preparing to reinforce their checkposts in various bordering districts.

Police have decided to operate 14 additional checkposts in addition to the eight that are already in operation since some years. The new, reinforced checkposts are located in Pashupatinagar of Ilam, Bhadrapur in Jhapa, Dhadi in Siraha, Khajuri in Dhanusha, Malangawa, Sarlahi, Bhittamod in Mahottari, Gaur in Rautahat, Inarwa in Parsa, Tribeni, Nawalparashi, Maheshpur in Nawalparashi, Belhiya in Rupandehi, Gulariya in Bardiya, Dhangadhi in Kailali and Belauri, Kanchanpur.

The eight check points that are already in existence are Kakadvitta in Jhapa, Rani in Biratnagar, Tatopani in Barhabise, Gaddachauki in Kanchanpur, Sunauli in Bhairahawa, Jamuna in Nepalgunj, and Trinagar in Kailali.

According to Nepal Police, the new checkposts will be in operation within two to three weeks, along with the deployment of additional forces in the region.

Similarly, police have identified 10 strategic locations that can be used as trafficking routes or hubs. These are Birtamod, Itahari, Bardibas, Mirchaiya, Pathlaiya, Mugling, Butwal, Lamahi, Bhaluwang, Kohalpur and Attaria.

Highlighting the possibility of the trafficking of women and children from the quake-hit areas on the pretext of providing them food, education and lucrative jobs, several cases have been registered following the devastating quake that hit the country.

"We will keep a close vigil around the clock at all 22 check points, especially in the districts bordering India," Inspector General of Nepal Police (IGP) Upendra Kanta Aryal said while addressing a parliamentary committee on Thursday.

Following the April 25 earthquake, security personnel have rescued over 92 women and children while they were allegedly being trafficked to India from various districts. "We have arrested over two dozen individuals and filed charge sheets against 13 of them for trafficking," IGP Aryal said.

Police have rescued women and children from Dhading, Dolakha, Bhaktapur and Sindhupalchowk and some girls were rescued from the Nepal-India border.

Security personnel have stepped up efforts to protect orphaned children, the homeless and those living in temporary settlements from being trafficked. "We have also made it mandatory for children travelling without their parents to carry travel documents issued by the local authorities," police spokesperson DIG Kamal Singh Bom said.

Similarly, the Crime Investigation Department of Nepal Police has prepared an action plan to curb Nepal-India cross-border crime, pointing out that traffickers have been more active in the aftermath of the quake.

Published on: 12 June 2015 | Republica