"Namaste sister. We're here to support you. Hope you have gotten relief materials? Your children seem so little. You have so many problems. Can we offer some help?

"Give your children to us; we will provide them an education and make their future bright."

That was how four individuals who came from the capital some three weeks ago went about trying to lure Mangali Maya Tamang of Hakku VDC, Rasuwa district into parting with her children.

Tamang, who has been livng in a makeshift tent in a camp for displaced earthquake victims, said that she is worried about the safety of her children, as the movement of child traffickers has picked up dramatically in the locality.

The authorities have relocated the entire population of Hakku VDC to the banks of the Betrawati river in Nuwakot district.

After the great quake 223 people who have been displaced from Hakku, have been residing in camps at Betrawati, Santi Bazar and Trishuli.

Tamang said that two gangs of child traffickers have already approached her. She said the traffickers offered her money when she refused outright to send her children with them.

The entire village has been demolished by the quake.

Tamang feels lucky as her whole family has survived.

However, with the traffickers on the prowl, she is now worried about the children.

Buti Maya Tamang of Hakku-8 has a similar tale. Tamang, who lost her husband to the devastating quake, has been fearing for her five-year-old daughter.

"They said that they will provide free education to my daughter," she said adding, "When I refused, they offer me Rs 50,000." She said that she has to be cautious when her daughter goes to play with her friends.

According to Buti Maya, the traffickers have been coming to the camp with noodles, biscuits, fruit juice and chocolate, and children can be easily lured. She has demanded that the authorities provide better security in the displaced camp.

Karma Lama, another local of Hakku, complained that the displaced in the camp are not at all feeling secure, regardless of the authorities claiming that it is safer than Hakku VDC. Hakku is at continuing risk from landslides.

Kaman Singh Tamang of Hakku-8, who lost his wife in the earthquake, has also been worried about his children. He is worried about his 13-month-old son Anurag, two and half-year-old daughter Guru Maya and seven-year-old daughter Kami Dolma.

"They have met me three times to demand my children," he said adding he worries that the traffickers might take his children away without his knowledge.

Tamang and his fellow villagers reached Betrawati after walking for five days.

Meanwhile, Nuwakot District Police Office said it is unaware about the presence of child traffickers in the displaced camps.

Published on: 15 June 2015 | Republica