Crisis amplifies women's risk to flesh trade coercion
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 04 2024: As the state continues to grapple with a year-long crisis that commenced on May 3 of the previous year, the adverse impacts are felt across the state, affecting individuals both directly and indirectly.

While numerous families find themselves displaced, forced to seek refuge in relief camps due to the destruction of their homes, many others face economic hardships as their sources of livelihood vanish or diminish significantly.

Amidst these challenges, concerns are mounting over the vulnerability of young women from the state being coerced into the flesh trade industry in pursuit of means to sustain themselves.

Karnataka's Belagavi Police Commissioner, Martin Marbaniyang, a native of Meghalaya, conveyed these apprehensions to social welfare officers of Manipur.

Marbaniyang highlighted a troubling trend observed in Karnataka, where young women from Manipur, seeking employment opportunities, are reportedly being lured into the illicit trade.

This revelation underscores the urgent need for heightened vigilance and preventive measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals from falling prey to exploitation.

The social welfare department achieved a significant breakthrough by successfully rescuing a young girl, who had been separated from her family under distressing circumstances, amidst allegations of harassment and captivity, from Karnataka.

This successful rescue operation, spanning across multiple states, ultimately led to the safe return of the girl to her parents' care.

Informing this to media after arriving in Imphal with the victim girl, social welfare director Ng Uttam said that the event unfolded when the department received an urgent plea for help from the Manipur Students Association Delhi (MSAD), reporting the suspected captivity and mistreatment of a girl from Salungpham, Thoubal district, believed to be in Hyderabad.

Responding swiftly to the distress call, a dedicated team led by deputy director K Saroja sprang into action, launching a meticulous investigation into the matter.

Through rigorous inquiries and effective coordination with various stakeholders, it was discovered that the victim and the alleged perpetrator had relocated to Belgaum, Karnataka, contrary to initial assumptions.

Undeterred by this twist, the department promptly dispatched a specialised team to Karnataka, bolstered by the cooperation of the Karnataka State authorities.

The collaborative efforts bore fruit when Karnataka Police, acting on intelligence provided by the Manipur government, successfully located the girl in Belgaum.

With support of local authorities in Belgaum, the girl was safely rescued and joyously reunited with her family under the supervision of officials from the department, he said.

Highlighting the grim reality faced by numerous families grappling with unemployment and shattered hopes due to the current crisis in the state, Uttam underscored the necessity for many to resort to odd jobs for mere survival.

Furthermore, he raised concerns over reports indicating the exploitation of young women who are coerced into the flesh trade business'in other states.

Expressing grave concern over the deceptive tactics employed by human traffickers, Uttam appealed to parents and guardians to exercise vigilance and skepticism.

He urged them not to fall prey to false promises of job opportunities or education elsewhere and instead advised contacting the Child Welfare Committee or District Child Protection Units for verification.

Emphasising the severity of human trafficking as one of the major crimes in today 's world, Uttam warned of the sinister connections traffickers often have with criminal organisations or affluent individuals.

He cautioned that once ensnared in the clutches of traffickers, victims may never be reunited with their families.In a bid to deter individuals from seeking higher-paying jobs in other states, Uttam urged people to reconsider the allure of a Rs 20,000 per month job outside the state compared to a Rs 10,000 per month job within the state.

He elucidated the hidden costs associated with living in another state, resulting in a significantly reduced disposable income.

According to the director, the girl was enticed by false promises of employment in Hyderabad by an individual back in December last year.

Initially, the family maintained communication with the girl, who even sent money home.

However, on April 29, the situation took a turn for the worse when the girl urgently pleaded with her family to rescue her from unbearable hardships.

Unfortunately, the call abruptly ended as if the phone was either snatched or fell on the ground, leading to fears of potential harm.

The family filed a report with the SP Thoubal on May 1 expressing suspicion of captivity and torture.

The social welfare department promptly initiated an investigation, summoning the girl's relatives to collect crucial information.

The department diligently monitored social media activities and traced the phone's location, with assistance from the SP Thoubal.

However, the investigation yielded unexpected results, as the traced location was not in Hyderabad but showed activity in Karnataka.

Further complicating matters, photos surfaced on social media depicting the girl and the suspect initially in Hyderabad, then later in Kerala and Bangalore.

Sensing the urgency of the situation, a six-mem-ber department team swiftly went to Karnataka on May 2.The same night, SP Thoubal relayed critical information regarding the victim's location, prompting immediate action.

Subsequently, the suspect was apprehended, and a joint effort involving the department team, with support from Karnataka's Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and local law enforcement authorities, culminated in the successful rescue of the girl.

While initial questioning of both the victim and the suspect did not reveal evidence of harassment, suspicions of sexual exploitation still persist.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities steadfast in their determination to uncover the truth and ensure the girl's safety and well-being remain the top priority, he added.

Comment