Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manipur (Agenzia Fides) – There is great concern among civil society and in the Christian community for increased human trafficking during the Commonwealth Games, which start in Delhi on October 3. This is what Fides has learned from the Church and non-governmental organizations in India.
Fr. Madhu Chandra, founder of the NGO North East Support Centre & Helpline, tells Fides: “In view of the Commonwealth Games, we are receiving ongoing reports: the networks of traffickers have stepped up their activities to target mainly girls from northeastern India. We are asking youth in northeastern India, who are studying or working in the area of Delhi, to take extra care. In many cases, people end up in trafficking networks through unsuspecting people. Thus, they should be careful with people who offer the youth a job or promise families free education for their children.”
The phenomenon, according to official estimates, in India has a turnover amounting to $40 billion (USD) and it is feared that there could be a sharp rise in conjunction with the Games for the countries of the former British Empire. Victims are mainly children from poor families, often Dalits (untouchables) and tribal families. The North East Support Centre & Helpline is an association of human rights activists, social workers, journalists, and lawyers involved in the prevention of abuse and violence against women and children, in north-eastern India and in other areas of the country.
In a day of study and investigation, which took place in recent days in Inphal, in the state of Manipur (Northeast India), the All-India Christian Council, an ecumenical body which brings together representatives of all Christian denominations, and the North East Support Centre & Helpline, before over 250 delegates, representing the Christian churches, civil society, NGOs, institutions, schools, or institutions, stressed "the role of churches and associations of civil society in stopping the phenomenon of trafficking." The Christian community and civil society have established a "close partnership" to combat trafficking in human beings. The prevention work and rescuing children, youth, and women from criminal organizations, housing them in shelters, etc. goes hand in hand with the work of law enforcement that must combat trafficking on an investigative and legal level.
John Dayal, Secretary General of the All-India Christian Council, remarked: "Trafficking in India, with its turnover of 40 billion dollars is, among criminal activity, second only to drug trafficking. Victims are mostly Dalits and tribal families, often belonging to Christian minorities, as seen in particular in the district of Kandhmal, in Orissa, and the state of Manipur" (see Fides 22/9/2010).
Fr. Madhu Chandra has provided a bleak picture of violence against women and children, found throughout northeastern India. He has told of how his NGO recently saved five Naga (ethnic group) girls who had become involved with networks of traffickers in Malaysia after being lured by false job offers. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 29/09/2010)
