Court questions Bihar on child trafficking

PATNA/NEW DELHI - The Bihar High Court Tuesday issued notice to the Bihar government on the issue of child trafficking, asking it to respond within three weeks and file a status report, an NGO said in a statement issued in New Delhi.

The notices were issued after Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), an NGO working for child rights at the national level, filed a suit in the court.

BBA Chairperson R.S. Chaurasia said: “The judiciary has been taking a proactive role in the fight against child labour and trafficking. We are happy that even in the state of Bihar the judiciary has taken note of the matter and is trying to prevent the same.”

As per the NGO, Bihar has emerged as the largest source area for trafficking of children. Children are trafficked for both forced labour as well as commercial sexual exploitation.

Since July 2009, out of more than 1,700 rescued trafficked children involved in forced labour in Delhi more than 70 percent hailed from Bihar, the NGO said.

Meanwhile, the BBA demanded that a comprehensive policy should be made on the issue, alongwith a plan to prevent trafficking.

Those who have been a victim of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labour should be protected. Rehabilitation of the rescued children which involves their education and prevents their re-trafficking is of utmost importance, the NGO said.