Trafficked Bengal teen cheats death, turns campaigner
SOUTH 24 PARGANAS, WEST BENGAL: Fourteen months ago, she was battling for life in a Delhi hospital after being sexually assaulted for months. The 18-year-old, who was unable to sit or talk when she was admitted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in December 2015, now campaigns to prevent young girls from falling into the trap of traffickers.
She returned home in January 2016 and now goes to schools and helps West Bengal police in creating awareness about trafficking among young students.
“I am still on medication and have to visit hospital once in a month. That incident changed my life and I am scared of going out of my house. But I don’t want any other girl to meet the same fate. For that, I help police in educate young students,” said Aaftab (name changed), who now lives in south 24 Parganas district.
That is quite a change from December 2015. When HT met her in the hospital, her legs were infected and doctors had to remove pus regularly to prevent the infection from spreading. She had gag wounds around her mouth. Her father, a daily wage labourer, fears that his daughter will remain unmarried but now wants to fight against traffickers.
“ThereisasocialstigmaandI am aware of it. I wanted my daughter back and will take care of her. We will together ensure that the person who made her life hell, gets punishment,” said her father. The girl, who was trafficked from West Bengal in 2014, said she was sexually assaulted over 10 times a day by different men for six months. Doctors said the cause of her deteriorating health was repeated assault.
“I have been taken to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Manali, Mangalore and many other locations and kept at someone’s place where people used to come and rape me. This happened for over six months and traffickers used to beat me up on refusal. I caught fever and my health started deteriorating. Then, the trafficker dropped me in the hospital and left,” the girl told HT.
It was after HT highlighted her plight, she was given medical attention, which ensured speedy recovery. “The cause of infection was repeated sexual assault. She was diagnosed with septic arthritis, and displayed visible lacerations in and around her mouth consistent with gag wounds. The girl is courageous and has recovered from trauma. That is why we are talking more about gender based violence and a girl like her will help us in cre- ating awareness,” said Rishi Kant of Shakti Vahini, an NGO, which monitored her rehabilitation.
Kant said with the help of US consulate, Kolkata, they are trying to create awareness on gender-based violence in the region, with focus on college campuses. Compensation given by the state and the Centre has helped her pick up the threads of her life.
“After the state government, the home ministry sanctioned ₹5 lakh, which will help in getting the right treatment,” she said.
A global survey report said India has the largest population of modern slaves in the world, with more than 18 million people trapped as bonded labourers, forced beggars and sex workers.