Calling attention to child trafficking

t is disheartening that there are not much serious steps being seen when it comes to addressing the growing number of child trafficking related cases in the state. The reports of such cases have been highlighted mainly due to the ground work of various non government organizations. Unfortunately, it is the Governmental agencies that are failing in its approach and commitment to the issue. Many of the reports emerging on child trafficking cases are only a fraction of the exact extent of the trafficking that originates from the state and are based on rescue efforts undertaken by various civil society groups and NGOs. In 2008 when the first cases of trafficking came to light, it was the NGOs that stepped in to repatriate young girls who had been trafficked out of the country. And even as there is an anti trafficking cell in the Social Welfare Department that is meant to take an initiative in trafficking related cases, there is still a lot to be desired, in terms of efforts and instituting mechanisms to intervene, rescue and repatriate, rehabilitate victims of trafficking for it is clear that Manipur is a soft target for children and youths to be taken away for various purposes. Children are the most vulnerable targets for trafficking as they can be easily lured away and then passed off for various purposes ranging from sex work to being used as beggars or as work force in what are known as sweat shops where they are made to put up with inhuman work conditions and shortchanged when it comes to their payment. Girls and young women who are trafficked are also increasingly found to be used as womb carriers to act as surrogate mothers in sex skewed parts of Northern India where female infanticide and foeticide has led to a near total absence of women in the general population.

The North Eastern region, but mostly Manipur, Assam and to some extent, Nagaland are prone to cases of trafficking. In Nagaland and Manipur, it is the fringe areas where the remoteness and the lack of equitable development yet again, but also the trust placed in community leaders lead to parents blindly believing the promises for a better life. The ethnic violence in the state in the 90’s, followed by the forced migration and displacement of people due to ‘development programs’ such as the construction of Mega dams and such to places alien to them created new situations and contexts where support systems for food, education, health and security were compromised but it was women and children who were most vulnerable and in need of special care and attention. The fall out of these circumstances in the state can be one major factor that has led to women and young girls taking up sex work, getting into drug use and abuse or involved as couriers, getting inducted into crimes or falling prey to trafficking. Even as there is still no strong police action being taken yet, non state forces are also encouraging trafficking of children through their acts of child soldier recruitment. In the first half of 2008, at least 20 children in the age group of 10 to 16 went missing from various parts of Manipur with the number of other reported cases increasing to near about 60. In the beginning, it was believed that the disappearances or abductions of the children could be related to trafficking but it emerged that most of the children were in the custody of armed groups. Yet again, the link to child trafficking emerged after it was found that the point persons who had taken the children away or made contact with the children were being paid money per child that they brought in to the fold.

And even as the ‘trafficking’ buzz gets generated when groups of children or young people are moved from the state to other states, not many are willing to take a serious look at the insidious nature of exploitation that is taking place: the practice of ‘employing’ minor children as house helps. Most people are all too willing to turn a blind eye and pass off the employ of minor children as a ‘parent approved’ exercise. The lack of Government and police action is all too visible in the number of children that one sees employed in hotels, workshops and as helpers on buses and trucks. The other reality of course, is that the more well to do families employ young children as helpers and pass it off as a means of helping poor families but the buck stops with the government agencies and its machinaries for it is responsible for the welfare and safety of children.