A longstanding social stigma

The time of origin is yet to be ascertained. But, baby trafficking happens to be a deep-rooted social problem of Bengal. Better late than never. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has taken serious exception to it and initiated strong measures to stop child trafficking. Reports senior Journalist Soumya Sinha from Kolkata.

The CID of Bengal is yet to touch the bottom of baby trafficking mystery in the state. But, it is evident that baby trafficking syndicate has been working in the state for as long as three decades. It was under the scanner of international media since early 80s. Probably two cases were published in 1982 and 2010 respectively that sounded red alert for the government. Significantly, this time the bust of baby trafficking racket in Bengal appears to be a big jolt for the civil society.

What Happened?

The newborns were smuggled out of the private nursing homes in buskets of biscuits and were trafficked in ambulances to an NGO. Acting on a tip-off, CID team raided a nursing home in Baduria, North 24- pgs, and rescued three newborns placed in biscuit cartons. In course of investigation CID came to know that the nursing home in association with other clinics and NGOs steals the newborns for illegal adoption against lakhs of rupees.
Within a couple of days 10 babies were rescued from a home at Thakurpukur, the southern end of Kolkata and skeleton remains of two kids found near a NGO at Machhlandapur, North 24-Parganas. With the arrest of 20 persons including a quack Tapan Biswas, the alleged kingpin, Bimal Adhikari and Basanti of Joka home and two doctors associated with a College Street nursing home the trafficking syndicate has been unearthed.

The crackdown had started with a raid on Sohan Nursing Home and Polyclinic in Baduria, North 24-Parganas After series of interrogation CID officials became sure about the style of operations of baby racket members and it appeared that 10 babies rescued from the Thakurpukur-Joka home, were saved at the last moment. Investigation revealed that the racketeers were not averse to discarding the babies even to the extent of death for them. Immediately the investigating officers decided to frame murder charges on baby trafficking key- accused. Since then baby rescue operation is going on in the state.

Network

On the basis of the primary investigation it is assumed that the baby-racket has already spread its tentacles in the entire eastern region. A recent report reveals that West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Chattishgarh, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded 61% of the total human trafficking cases in India.

Ironically, 48% of the missing kids remained untraced in these states. Therefore the social workers who fight their best to end sex-trafficking have reasons to apprehend that a number of stolen babies could have been sold to red-light areas across the country.

According to the information received, Bengal is identified as the source area, destination area as well as the transit area from Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Interestingly, Sonagachhi at Kolkata has instances where needy or greedy sex workers didnt hesitate to hand over their babies even to other sex workers against lucrative amount.

Bowbazar, another big brothel at central Kolkata is reportedly the second profitable hub for child traffickers. Therefore, the possibility of selling out of the stolen babies to flesh traders of the brothels in or outside the state cant be ruled out.

Target audience

However, perhaps the most profitable target audience for baby trafficking syndicates are the childless mothers who like to adopt newborn babies at any cost, bypassing the rules and regulations framed by the government. Lack of awareness, dearth of suitable babies and time consuming process of adoption may insist them to violet laws. Some of them become the victims of fraudulent papers or certificates furnished by the syndicate-agents. This apart, the officers from Criminal Investigation Department suspect that the traffickers prefer to maintain close liaison with the childless couples in neighbouring Bangladesh. Kingpin Tapan Biswas, a quack doctor, nabbed by the CID, reportedly hinted out that he himself arranged the babies for Bangladeshi couples against 'good money'.

Reports revealed that initially the main target of the traffickers were the newborns of the slum and footpath dwellers of the city. In some cases unwed mothers also willingly hand over their newborns to the traffickers

Social evil

The unearthed child trafficking racket has brought three social evils to the daylight. First, taking advantages of the poor health service in rural and semi-urban areas the quack doctors compel the poor or less educated people to the unauthorised nursing homes for delivery or gynaecology problems. As a result, child trafficking rackets are getting flourished.

Second, a section of qualified doctors fail to desist themselves from shaking hands with the racketeers. Third, a reasonable number of NGOs are noticed to have involved in alarming malpractices. Moreover, the entire episode pinpointed the inability of the government officials to check the mushroom-growth of the unlicensed nursing homes and to monitor the suspicious activities of a section of NGO workers.

Sincere Mamata

Mamata Banerjee Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed deep concern over the ongoing baby trafficking in the state and she herself showed special interest in the progress of CID investigation. She is learnt to have raised her eyebrows at the poor performance of women and child welfare department of her government. In order to intensify the probe she constituted a baby trafficking probe committee headed by state Legislative Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee.

Partha Chatterjee The probe panel includes Congress legislative party leader Abdul Mannan and CPIM leader in the state assembly Sujan Chakraborty, Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee and Home Secretary Moloy De. The DGP of Bengal and Kolkata Police

Mamata termed baby trafficking unfortunate and worrisome. She asked Partha Chatterjee to suggest a road map that can draw an end to baby trafficking in Bengal. According to the instruction of the Chief Minister, the committee will meet periodically to review the progress of the investigation.

Commissioner have also been given berth in the probe panel. Announcing the formation of the probe committee during the assembly session Mamata termed baby trafficking unfortunate and worrisome. She asked Partha Chatterjee to suggest a road map that can draw an end to baby trafficking in Bengal.

According to the instruction of the Chief Minister, the committee will meet periodically to review the progress of the investigation. Sincere effort will be made to extend humanitarian support to the poor mothers who were forced to sell their children against money. But those indulge in malpractices to satisfy their greed will obviously face the consequences.

Mamata directed her police department to carry out surprise checking at all the nursing homes and put them under scanner. The health officials have been asked to prepare regular periodical reports on the day to day functioning of the nursing homes as well.

Whatever may be, the entire episode appears to be a major jolt to the 'Safe Delivery' campaign in Bengal. After prolonged counselling the women who agreed to approach small-time nursing homes for delivery will surely reconsider their decisions in view of their shattered faith.



		EDITOR'S MAIL MATTERS OF PUBLIC POLICY NOTEBANDI DRAMA NOTEBANDI DRAMA FRANKLY SPEAKING POLL 2017 TAMIL NADU POLITICS TAMIL NADU POLITICS REALPOLITIK POLITICAL RESERVATION KASHMIR WATCH A HOLLOW RITUALRY ENVIRONMENTAL FALLOUT BABY TRAFFICKING AVIATION NOTE HITS & MISSES SPORT NOTEBOOK NEW PAK ARMY CHIEF PAGE FROM HISTORY MIDDLE EAST SCENE US WATCH NEW WHITE HOUSE INDO-VIETNAMESE TIES BOOK BAZAAR BOOK BAZAAR GENDER VIOLENCE SIGNS OF THE TIMES YOGA IN DAILY LIFE-IX ART OF LIVING Issue:January' 2017 Subscribe Now	BABY TRAFFICKING A longstanding social stigma The time of origin is yet to be ascertained. But, baby trafficking happens to be a deep-rooted social problem of Bengal. Better late than never. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has taken serious exception to it and initiated strong measures to stop child trafficking. Reports senior Journalist Soumya Sinha from Kolkata. The CID of Bengal is yet to touch the bottom of baby trafficking mystery in the state. But, it is evident that baby trafficking syndicate has been working in the state for as long as three decades. It was under the scanner of international media since early 80s. Probably two cases were published in 1982 and 2010 respectively that sounded red alert for the government. Significantly, this time the bust of baby trafficking racket in Bengal appears to be a big jolt for the civil society. What Happened? The newborns were smuggled out of the private nursing homes in buskets of biscuits and were trafficked in ambulances to an NGO. Acting on a tip-off, CID team raided a nursing home in Baduria, North 24- pgs, and rescued three newborns placed in biscuit cartons. In course of investigation CID came to know that the nursing home in association with other clinics and NGOs steals the newborns for illegal adoption against lakhs of rupees. Within a couple of days 10 babies were rescued from a home at Thakurpukur, the southern end of Kolkata and skeleton remains of two kids found near a NGO at Machhlandapur, North 24-Parganas. With the arrest of 20 persons including a quack Tapan Biswas, the alleged kingpin, Bimal Adhikari and Basanti of Joka home and two doctors associated with a College Street nursing home the trafficking syndicate has been unearthed. The crackdown had started with a raid on Sohan Nursing Home and Polyclinic in Baduria, North 24-Parganas After series of interrogation CID officials became sure about the style of operations of baby racket members and it appeared that 10 babies rescued from the Thakurpukur-Joka home, were saved at the last moment. Investigation revealed that the racketeers were not averse to discarding the babies even to the extent of death for them. Immediately the investigating officers decided to frame murder charges on baby trafficking key- accused. Since then baby rescue operation is going on in the state. Network On the basis of the primary investigation it is assumed that the baby-racket has already spread its tentacles in the entire eastern region. A recent report reveals that West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Chattishgarh, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded 61% of the total human trafficking cases in India. Ironically, 48% of the missing kids remained untraced in these states. Therefore the social workers who fight their best to end sex-trafficking have reasons to apprehend that a number of stolen babies could have been sold to red-light areas across the country. According to the information received, Bengal is identified as the source area, destination area as well as the transit area from Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Interestingly, Sonagachhi at Kolkata has instances where needy or greedy sex workers didnt hesitate to hand over their babies even to other sex workers against lucrative amount. Bowbazar, another big brothel at central Kolkata is reportedly the second profitable hub for child traffickers. Therefore, the possibility of selling out of the stolen babies to flesh traders of the brothels in or outside the state cant be ruled out. Target audience However, perhaps the most profitable target audience for baby trafficking syndicates are the childless mothers who like to adopt newborn babies at any cost, bypassing the rules and regulations framed by the government. Lack of awareness, dearth of suitable babies and time consuming process of adoption may insist them to violet laws. Some of them become the victims of fraudulent papers or certificates furnished by the syndicate-agents. This apart, the officers from Criminal Investigation Department suspect that the traffickers prefer to maintain close liaison with the childless couples in neighbouring Bangladesh. Kingpin Tapan Biswas, a quack doctor, nabbed by the CID, reportedly hinted out that he himself arranged the babies for Bangladeshi couples against 'good money'. Reports revealed that initially the main target of the traffickers were the newborns of the slum and footpath dwellers of the city. In some cases unwed mothers also willingly hand over their newborns to the traffickers Social evil The unearthed child trafficking racket has brought three social evils to the daylight. First, taking advantages of the poor health service in rural and semi-urban areas the quack doctors compel the poor or less educated people to the unauthorised nursing homes for delivery or gynaecology problems. As a result, child trafficking rackets are getting flourished. Second, a section of qualified doctors fail to desist themselves from shaking hands with the racketeers. Third, a reasonable number of NGOs are noticed to have involved in alarming malpractices. Moreover, the entire episode pinpointed the inability of the government officials to check the mushroom-growth of the unlicensed nursing homes and to monitor the suspicious activities of a section of NGO workers. Sincere Mamata Mamata Banerjee Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed deep concern over the ongoing baby trafficking in the state and she herself showed special interest in the progress of CID investigation. She is learnt to have raised her eyebrows at the poor performance of women and child welfare department of her government. In order to intensify the probe she constituted a baby trafficking probe committee headed by state Legislative Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee. Partha Chatterjee The probe panel includes Congress legislative party leader Abdul Mannan and CPIM leader in the state assembly Sujan Chakraborty, Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee and Home Secretary Moloy De. The DGP of Bengal and Kolkata Police Mamata termed baby trafficking unfortunate and worrisome. She asked Partha Chatterjee to suggest a road map that can draw an end to baby trafficking in Bengal. According to the instruction of the Chief Minister, the committee will meet periodically to review the progress of the investigation. Commissioner have also been given berth in the probe panel. Announcing the formation of the probe committee during the assembly session Mamata termed baby trafficking unfortunate and worrisome. She asked Partha Chatterjee to suggest a road map that can draw an end to baby trafficking in Bengal. According to the instruction of the Chief Minister, the committee will meet periodically to review the progress of the investigation. Sincere effort will be made to extend humanitarian support to the poor mothers who were forced to sell their children against money. But those indulge in malpractices to satisfy their greed will obviously face the consequences. Mamata directed her police department to carry out surprise checking at all the nursing homes and put them under scanner. The health officials have been asked to prepare regular periodical reports on the day to day functioning of the nursing homes as well. Whatever may be, the entire episode appears to be a major jolt to the 'Safe Delivery' campaign in Bengal. After prolonged counselling the women who agreed to approach small-time nursing homes for delivery will surely reconsider their decisions in view of their shattered faith.