India has now assumed the dubious distinction of becoming a world leader in human trafficking (I-W, June 8). According to a recent article in the New York Times, the situation in India for poor young girls is dire. The story chronicles the horrors endured by one of its victims, Meena Khatun, who was kidnapped by a trafficker in north India when she was only 11 years old. Tragically, Meena had become another statistic in the 10 million children around the world forced into prostitution.
In addition to forcing these girls to endure unspeakable horrors to serve as 'cash cows' to their owners, these girls are also 'encouraged' to become pregnant to provide a continuous source of human slaves - prostitutes and cheap laborers. When Meena became pregnant, her two children, Naina and son Vivek, were snatched away. In desperation, Meena escaped and sought help from the local police who callously turned her away, exhibiting a common attitude of Indian law enforcement agencies.
Fearing for her life, Meena was unable to return to the brothel and was forced to leave her two children behind. When Naina turned 12, the brothel owners decided to sell her. Her brother, Vivek, was forced to work in the brothel's laundry. Eventually their sad plight came to the attention of a wonderful, caring agency, which specializes in anti-trafficking, Apne Aap. It is run by a former journalist, Ruchira Gupta. Gupta approached the local police and applied relentless pressure to seek the release of Naina who is recovering in a hospital from savage beatings inflicted by her captors.
The owners have not been arrested but are threatening to kill Meena, her children and her rescuers as they are material witnesses in a criminal case against them. I would encourage NRIs and others, who have contacts in India to urge religious and social organizations to crusade against the growing exploitation of God's ignored and forgotten children.
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