Human Trafficking on the Rise in West Bengal, Thousands Go Missing Every Year

Over the last decade, there is a massive increase in the number of missing reports of minor children as well as women, as mentioned in the statement jointly given by the CID of West Bengal Police and the Union home ministry. The total number of missing children in West Bengal was 368 in 2001 whereas in 2010 the figure touched 8,599 and in 2001 the number of missing women was 196 whereas in 2010 it was 6,514.

The state has also emerged as a hub for agents and traffickers for transferring women and children to Middle East countries for various purposes of slavery and prostitution in the name of domestic workers or stage performers. This is because West Bengal shares an international border of 2216.7 kms with Bangladesh, 92 kms with Nepal and 175 kms with Bhutan. Senior IPS officer closely associated with an anti-trafficking drive in the state said, "The prevalence is highest in three districts in Bengal, including Murshidabad, North and South 24-Parganas. It mostly poverty-driven and can only be stopped with a large-scale livelihood programmes," reported TOI.

Also Read: 4 Million Indian Girls Victim of Teenage Pregnancy