June 22: Six women, including five girls, from Bajura district were rescued while being trafficked to India from the Gaddachauki border point in Kanchanpur district.

Shanti Punarsthapana Griha, a non-government organisation working against trafficking, informed that two girls from Himali Rural Municipality, one from Badimalika Municipality and two from Gaumul Rural Municipalities alongside a woman from Budhinanda Municipality were rescued.

"The six individuals were being taken to India with fake job assurances. However, they were taken to sell in different parts of India," said Manisha Neupane, supervisor for the NGO at Gaddachauki.

Neupane informed that they had questioned the individuals regarding their reason for visiting India. "They informed that they had no relatives in India and were being taken to India for a job after staging a fake marriage with someone," she added.

Meanwhile, locals of Bajura district argued that visiting India was mandatory because the country could not provide them with jobs and help uplift their economic condition.

"There are neither arable lands nor enough jobs. Females are bound to escape to India to earn a livelihood," said Nirmala Karki, a 23-year-old from Ward No. 3 of Budhinanda Municipality.

"However, many women were being cheated. Some people lure women with fake job assurances and sell them. There should be a proper platform to seek jobs and verify them in between Nepal and India," she added.

Last fiscal year, 144 women were rescued from the border point. Officials informed that five of the girls rescued earlier are attending schools.

Published on: 22 June 2023 | The Rising Nepal