Several disaster-hit villages, which have become almost ‘men-less’ as flashflood swallowed all the male residents, are now prone to human trafficking. The villages are left with children and women, considered as soft targets, and fall into trap of human traffickers.
Nature’ fury devastated several villages in worst affected Rudraprayag district. But it gave deep wound to the two villages which lost most of its male residents when the disaster wreaked havoc on June 16, 17. Male residents from these villages were on work in between Gauri Kund and Kedarnath.
They left homes with a hope to earn some money during Yatra season. They, however, became victim to the disaster. According to sources, Deoli village near Ukhimath and lamgaudi near Guptkashi lost 55 persons, including adult and children, and around 40 persons respectively.
Among the deceased, several were school children. They were selling eatables with a hope to save some pennies to carry on their studies further. While children were engaged in trivial works, the senior members of their families were busy in helping the tourists and selling some other goods.
An eyewitness said, “The villages have become prone to human trafficking. The administrative officials would have to pay special attention to these villages as they are left with children and females only. Addition vigil would be required to keep the human traffickers at a bay from the villages when connectivity is restored.”
He further added the disaster snatched away earning members from their family. This will couple the problem of the females and children who will have to struggle to earn two time meal. Under such extreme and odd conditions, they might be enticed away by the human trafficking gang who lay in wait for such catastrophe as it gives them chance to materialize their vicious plan.
Superintended of police (anti-human trafficking cell) Vimmy Sachdewa said, “We have already alerted anti-human trafficking unit cops to pay special focus at entry and exit point of the state. Two such villages have been reported in Rudraprayag district. At present, there is no connectivity to the two villages. Once road connectivity is ensured, special attention would be paid to the villages. Anti-human trafficking cops would visit the village and keep a vigil there.”
She added that no laxity would be tolerated on part of the cops. She is also planning to create awareness among the villagers there. The locals would be asked not to entertain the strangers and in case of any suspicious people found moving there, they should immediately inform the local cops.