DIL BAHADUR CHHATYAL

Cases of human trafficking, with victims mainly being girls and women, through Indo-Nepal border in western parts of the country is on rise, while authorities seem to be doing little to discourage the trend.

Last year, Maiti Nepal, an NGO working against trafficking in women across the country, rescued 118 women from the border between Nepal and India as they were being trafficked to India. According to the organization, many of the women were rescued from border points in western Nepal. Recent incidents and last year´s report prepared by Maiti Nepal show that most victims of human trafficking belong to Dhading, Sindhupalchowk, Sindhuli, Lamjung, Syangja and Nuwakot districts.

Though over 100 women were rescued by Maiti Nepal last year, charges were filed against only two persons, according to Shivsharan Choudhari, a staff of Maiti Nepal in Dhangadhi. "The routes along the western border are used extensively for human trafficking. Despite efforts to curb it, the cases are on the rise," Choudhari said. "One of the reasons traffickers find the western borders convenient is because Delhi is nearer from here." According to him, the traffickers have established strong networks in villages, Kathmandu, and Delhi and other countries.

Caption:Security personnel carrying out checks near the Indo-Nepal border in Nepalgunj. Around 20,000 people cross over to the Indian side every day. Despite security checks, people continue to get trafficked through the border.(Rudra Khada/Republica)

Nepali women and young girls are trafficked to Indian brothels in Delhi and Mumbai. They are also sent to third countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. "Once the women are trafficked to Delhi, they are sold to brothels in different parts of India as well as other third countries."

Jatimaya Tamang, a social mobilizer stationed at Gauriphanta, one of the border points in west Nepal, said that the girls trafficked to India via the border are generally found in school uniform. "Usually the girls tell us that they are going to India for medical treatment." Tamang is working for KI Nepal (NGO) at Information and Counseling Center of Gauriphanta. "The girls who are being trafficked rarely speak the truth in the beginning. They open up if we keep insisting on knowing the truth," Tamang added. She said that the agents coach the women on what to tell the police and investigators. But we can easily make out if they are lying.

Nepalese girls and women usually fall prey to traffickers who lure them with promises about employment and luxurious life, according to Tamang.

Published on: 10 November 2014 | Republica