Highest child-trafficking reported in UP, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh

Delhi records about 68% rise in child-trafficking

New Delhi –  The Union Government has published data on child-trafficking cases from 2016 to 2022, wherein the maximum number of incidents have been reported from Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. It also includes a 68% rise in such cases in Delhi alone. This data has been published by two organisations viz. ‘Games 24 X 7’ and ‘Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation’.

• As per this report, information was collected from 262 Districts in 21 States between 2016 and 2022.
• Prior to the Corona pandemic, in 4 years from 2016 to 2019, there were 267 cases of human trafficking registered in Uttar Pradesh while the cases registered in 2021-22 after Corona, were 1,214.
• There was rise of 18% in cases in Karnataka as the cases increased from 6 to 110.
• The report states that due to the Government’s drive to create awareness amongst people on this issue, the number of cases of child-trafficking registered at Police stations is increasing. (It is necessary to think about tackling the issue to curb such incidents. – Editor)
• The report gives more emphasis on amending the law on the prohibition of child-trafficking by making it more stringent.
• From 2016 to 2022, 13, 549 children below the age of 18 were rescued as per the report.

UP, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh top three states with the max number of children trafficked between 2016 and 2022; #Delhi witnesses alarming 68% rise from pre to post-Covid times, according to a new study https://t.co/PjXgAOuKv2

— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) July 30, 2023

Maximum child-labourers found in hotels and ‘Dhaba’

The report says that the percentage of child-labourers employed in hotels and ‘Dhaba (roadside eateries)’ was 15.6%; while 13% of child labourers were found in Transport Industry, and 11.18% in Textile Industry.

Editorial Viewpoint

Child-trafficking is a very serious issue and needs an immediate and permanent solution. It will require stringent laws, but creating social awareness is equally important.