Manipur as a source for the trafficking of children and young girls to other parts of the country is evident from the reports that have started coming in on the media space. Many of these reports are only a fraction of the exact extent of the trafficking that originates from the state and are based on rescue efforts undertaken by various civil society groups and NGOs. While the non governmental agencies have stepped in during the process of stopping children from being trafficked outside the state, it has taken these very agencies to step up pressure on Governmental agencies to act in time. In 2008 when the first cases of trafficking came to light, it was the NGOs that stepped in to repatriate young girls who had been trafficked out of the country. And even as there is an anti trafficking cell in the Social Welfare Department that is beginning to take an initiative in trafficking related cases, there is still a lot to be desired starting from the lack of interest shown when the trafficking statistics stay low. While the actions being taken by the trafficking cell of the Social Welfare Department in relation with cases where a huge number of children, the lack of serious intent when reports of a only a few number of people being trafficked emerge is worrying and can give those involved in trafficking a way to operate. This attitude was evident when it emerged that two teenage girls of the state one from Churachandpur and another from Moirang were being placed by an ‘agent’ as domestic helps against their will in Bangalore. The news of the rescue came in from a Banglaore based civil society group that runs a helpline for people from the North-East region and a student group. The two girls, both 19 years of age were reportedly promised jobs as beauticians for a salary of Rs.5000 per month along with free food and accommodation in a beauty parlour but ended up being placed as domestic help.
Even as this news emerged, there was another disturbing case that created a buzz on social networking sites and in personal e-mails: the alleged suicide of a minor said to be 13 years of age, committing suicide in a South Delhi area. The post said that the girl was being ‘employed’ as a domestic helper by a Manipuri couple, the husband said to be an employee at the Parliament. There is no means of verifying this particular bit of news since the parents of the girl have not come forward with any details. But every indication is that such cases are not uncommon even within the state, for while the ‘trafficking’ buzz gets generated when groups of children or young people are moved from the state to other states, not many are willing to take a serious look at the insidious nature of exploitation that is taking place: the practice of ‘employing’ minor children as house helps. Most people are all too willing to turn a blind eye and pass off the employ of minor children as a ‘parent approved’ exercise. The lack of Government and police action is all too visible in the number of children that one sees employed in hotels, workshops and as helpers on buses and trucks. The other reality of course, is that the more well to do families employ young children as helpers and pass it off as a means of helping poor families.
With the law stating that persons under 18 years of age cannot be employed, it is clear that those who are doing so are breaking the law. But, till the time, the concerned Government authorities step in with punitive measures, the circle of exploitation will continue. Additionally, the demand for child labour only fuels the trafficking circuit. Though cases of children being moved outside the state are out in the public domain, there is another subtle play of the trafficking syndrome that is intertwined with exploitation and the demand for child labour in homes and business establishments. This happens when certain people emerge to arrange for children as domestic helps. These people charge money from the families who employ the children for taking the trouble of scouting for them but escape from being labeled or booked as traffickers which they are, since they are making money on the transaction of human beings. In cases of parents giving their ‘consent’ for their minor children to be employed, the action is still illegal and is tantamount to abetting the crime. A lot needs to be done on this front starting with raising awareness on trafficking, taking swift and effective action for the arrest of people involved, ensuring safe rescue and repatriation, but also act when it comes to cases of employing minors.