Over 1.3k human trafficking victims rescued in last 5 yrs

Ranchi: In the past five years, Jharkhand has rescued 1,319 trafficked girls from various states, child protection society secretary Sameera S said on Friday. Speaking at the ‘Freedom from Child Trafficking Kishori Mahakumbh' conference organised by Bal Kalyan Sangh, Sameera said the society would now provide financial assistance to help trafficking survivors start businesses and build careers.
Speaking on the occasion, governor Santosh Gangwar emphasized the need for comprehensive mapping of vulnerable girl children across the state to combat trafficking effectively. "Given the high incidence of trafficking in our region, implementing a targeted action plan is crucial," The governor said.
Priyank Kanoongo, a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi, called for increased community support for anti-trafficking organisations, stressing that collective efforts are essential for protecting vulnerable children.
Highlighting the organisation's achievements, Bal Kalyan Sangh founder Sanjay Mishra reported rescuing 2,165 girls from traffickers and helping them become self-reliant.
The organisation has also freed 85 child labourers, provided them with vocational training, and supported 1,800 families through self-employment initiatives.
Additionally, the sangh implemented sanitation programmes in 84 villages in Khunti district in collaboration with the state govt.
Experts have identified Maika, Nagari, Koderma, Giridih and Dumka as trafficking hotspots. Regular awareness programmes, including awareness chariots, operate in districts like Khunti, Ranchi, Hazaribag, Dumka, Pakur, Chaibasa, Palamu and Koderma to combat these social issues, including child marriage and trafficking.
Underscoring the importance of such conferences, Budmani Oraon from Chanho shared her experience of being trafficked to Assam at the tender age of 13 in 2020.
"I was forced to work at a brick kiln, earning just Rs 50 for carrying 1,000 bricks," she recalled. After her rescue by Bal Kalyan Sangh in 2023, she completed her education and has been working as a teacher, Oraon narrated.