Kerala: Despite strict restrictions, human trafficking to Gulf countries continues unabated. The modus operandi of traffickers target economically-distressed families and exploit them.
As per the National Crime Records Bureau data, Kerala is fourth behind Maharashtra and Telangana (both 184 cases) and Andhra Pradesh (171) in the human trafficking cases in 2020. Kochi Police Commissioner Nagaraju Chakilam said, “In last four months, at least 30 women were trafficked from Kochi, out of which 20 have returned.”
An intelligence official said, he took more than 200 women from the state in two years and his alleged nexus with terror outfits was also under scanner. An office-bearer of the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) in Kuwait, Sharafu Chittaripilakkal said, “The agents exploit economic condition of gullible people promising greener pastures. But they end up in extreme trouble. A senior Police Official said, “Most of these local agents don’t have license.
They use spurious designations like baby sitters, help for aged, garden attendants and cleaning staff to dupe people. Despite stringent provisions and awareness drive, many are still getting into traps.” Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra said, between 2016 – 2020, 525 cases of human trafficking were registered in Kerala and only in three cases accused were convicted.
In 2018, 243 people left Indian coast from Munambam (Kochi) on a fishing boat and their whereabouts are still a mystery. Majority of them were from Tamil Nadu and their reported destination was Australia.” In all cases, there is a likely threat of selling people to ISIS which is a threat to regional peace and security.
