New Delhi: Feb. 10, 2011

A 14 years old Nepali origin from Manipur was rescued by Gurgaon Police from being sold off in marriage. The victim was seduced, sexually abused and raped before being rescued by the police. The accused Bikku Ranpal, 24, trafficked the minor girl from her native village in Manipur.

Sources of North East Support Centre Helpline said, “Parents of the minor girl lodged a case of human trafficking at Awang Sekmai Police Station, Imphal West District, Manipur (FIR No. 08/2011 registered under section 366A/368/370/372/420/34 of IPC).”

Shakti Vahini, a NGO has given shelter to victim. Girl’s parents are coming to national capital. Nishi Kant of Shakti Vahini told North East Support Centre Helpline, “The accused was caught from the basement of sector 56 apartment in Gurgaon while he attempted to sell off her in marriage.” The accused denied the charges that minor girl eloped with intention to marry her.

“Victim has confessed that accused man has abused her sexually and raped repeatedly. She was rescued while accused Bikku Ranpal was selling off in marriage to another man for Rs 50,000. Victim will go through medical test,” says Nishi Kant.

North East Support Centr Helpline has spoken to OC AK Shantikumar, incharge of Awang Sekmai Police station and confirmed the case. Manipur Government is planning to send a team of police to Gurgaon to receive the girl.

“Seducing, abusing sexually and raping a minor girl of 14 years old. If it is not a form of human trafficking then what it is,” asked, Madhu Chandra, Spokesperson of North East Support Centre Helpline while speaking to Manipur Police.

The issue of human trafficking is huge challenge for North East India communities. Due to socio-political unrest in the region, backwardness of economy, lack of educational opportunities, young women and men are easily targeted with false promise of jobs. “When North East boys and girls migrate to Delhi and NCR, they are racially profiled and women became vulnerable to sexual violence,” says Madhu Chandra.

“We have taken up the matter of human trafficking challenges in North East India with civil societies, religious bodies and appeal to Nagaland and Manipur Government to adopt law, policy and plan of action,” says Madhu Chandra.

Series of awareness seminars were held at Dimapur, Kakching and Imphal on January 28, 30 and 31. A network formed with various sections of societies to tackle the challenges of human trafficking.

North East Support Centre Helpline has appealed to Manipur Police and Nagaland Government to setup anti-human trafficking cell posted at exit points. Dimapur is exit point for the state of Manipur, Nagaland and Assam and Awang Sekmai for Manipur.

Released by

Angam Haokip

North East Support Centre Helpline
(An Initiative of All India Christian Council to Fight Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence against Women
New Delhi 110075 Email – nesupportcentre@gmail.com, www.nehelpline.net)

North East Support Centre Helpline (www.nehelpline.net) is a joint initiative of various human rights activists, social workers, students, journalists and lawyers seeking to prevent harassment and abuses meted out to North East People and tribal communities of other states.

 

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