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There has been an increase in trafficking cases through the border of Kailali and Kanchanpur in Sudurpaschim Province. According to statistics released by Maiti Nepal, 556 individuals including 380 women and 176 girls have been rescued over the past four years. Shivacharan Chaudhary, the Coordinator of Maiti Nepal in Kailali, stated that these incidents are rising because the state has not adequately addressed human trafficking and its control. He explained that women and girls are being trafficked to countries like India and the Gulf due to economic pressures, and lack of job opportunities in our country. This trend is increasing each year. In the financial year 2020/2021, two women and two children were rescued from India. In 2021/2022, 114 women and 53 girls were rescued, in 2022/2023, 96 women and 45 girls were rescued, and in 2023/2024, 104 women and 42 girls were rescued.

Although the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act 2007 provides imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine of up to Rs 30,000 for the offenders, the legal process remains challenging. Kailasho Rana, Coordinator of Shanti Rehabilitation Home, stated that victims often avoid filing cases due to legal complications and a lengthy process. Organizations involved in border surveillance face difficulties because trafficking often involves close relatives of the victims. The Human Trafficking and Transportation Control Committee, chaired by the Chief District Officer, is supposed to assist at the district level. However, since its formation, the committee has not held any meetings, leading to ineffective border monitoring and poor law enforcement. Coordinator Rana stated that their primary role is to rescue women and girls at risk and return them to their families. If the victims pursue legal action, they will file a complaint on their behalf. SP Padma Bahadur Bista of the District Police Office, Kailali, said that due to poverty, illiteracy, and a lack of job opportunities in Sudurpaschim Province, people are compelled to go to India in search of work because of the open border. This situation particularly puts women and girls at risk.

Despite many women being lured by financial temptations and trafficked to India through brokers, only three cases of human trafficking were reported to the District Police Office in the fiscal year 2023/2024. Many incidents went unreported, and handling the cases proved challenging as the accused could easily evade capture. SP Padma Bahadur Bista highlighted that preventing human trafficking and transportation continues to be a significant challenge.

Mainamoti Chaudhary