HP CM refutes human trafficking reports in Shilai, transfers SDM

SHIMLA: Infuriated over reports of human trafficking in the trans Giri region, the government on Saturday transferred Shilai sub-divisional magistrate Vikas Shukla and issued him a show cause notice for sharing the survey on women marrying outside the region with media. The government also transferred him as assistant settlement officer, Arki in Solan district.

Chief minister Virbhadra Singh has also refuted the issue of trafficking of girls from Shilai in Sirmaur on the pretext of marriages to neighbouring states. The government asked Shukla to explain as to why he should not be charge-sheeted. The government also clarified that no such survey had been directed or conducted by it regarding this issues, and if such survey was conducted by SDM, he should have informed the state before going to media.

Virbhadra, in a press statement issued here, while referring to some media reports, said the issue was being exaggerated.

“Trafficking of girls in the name of marriage is totally deceptive and media reports have deeply hurt the women in particular of Shilai and Trans Giri areas. No such case has been registered with the police so far,” he said.

“The chairperson of women commission visited the area and found no truth in such allegations. In fact, some marriages have taken place in normal course over a period of time outside Himachal and those involved in this conspiracy have no right to ask why the girls of the state, including those of Sirmour, were marrying outside the state,” the chief minister said.

Virbhadra said Shilai is not a backward area, but is well connected with roads and is 100% electrified.