Orissa girl sold for Rs 20,000, couple held ~ Bridal Slaves Rescue & Restore campaign

EMPOWER PEOPLE is an NGO in India working to protect female victims of violence and mitigate post-violence trauma. EMPOWER PEOPLE is one of the pioneer organizations focusing on the issue of human trafficking for the purpose of forced marriage.

What is also called "bride trafficking" affects a yet unknown number of girls, particularly from poor backgrounds, who are deceived and trafficked to be sold as brides. According to information gathered by EMPOWER PEOPLE, a middleman seeks an agreement on an arranged marriage with the family of the girls. Later those girls are transferred to another places where there is a high demand of brides, like Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan where they are known as "Paro" or "Molki" (literally perched woman).

The main focus of EMPOWER PEOPLE lies on awareness raising and sensitization trainings for law enforcement agencies. The organization is also offering direct victim support and assistance to women vulnerable to human trafficking and domestic violence.

EMPOWER PEOPLE is currently developing projects of community engagement and rehabilitation of trafficking victims in both source and destination areas in seven states of India.

Visit www.empowerpeople.org.in

Orissa girl sold for Rs 20,000, couple held

Raipur, Apr 28 (PTI) Police have arrested a couple here for allegedly buying an orphaned girl from Orissa for Rs 20,000. Kamla Baghel and her husband Nathu were apprehended by the city's Civil Lines police, Raipur district Additional Superintendent of Police Lal Umed Singh told PTI today. The 20-year-old girl was sold to the couple in Nagpur a few days ago by two youths who brought her from Orissa's Naupada district on the pretext of helping her get a job, he said. Kamla had forced the girl into flesh trade in Nagpur, the police officer added. IBNLIVE