Mapusa
In a first-of-its-kind case, Central Industrial Security Force at the Mopa
and Mumbai airports assisted in the repatriation of a Kenyan national rescued from the sex trade by
Goa police.
NGO Anyay Rahit Zindagi (ARZ), which coordinated with the CISF, said that the engagement of CISF in the repatriation of foreign nationals will ensure their return to their country.
In September 2023, Goa police had busted an international sex trafficking racket involving Kenyan women.
NGO Anyay Rahit Zindagi (ARZ) had lodged a complaint following which two Kenyan nationals were rescued by Anjuna police.
The Enforcement Directorate was also investigating hawala transaction of
the money illegally earned from the commercial sexual exploitation of the victims as there was a nexus between Goa, Bangalore and Chennai.
During the inquiry, sub-divisional magistrate, Mapusa had directed the ARZ to arrange for the repatriation of victims and also asked them to coordinate with the CISF at the Mopa airport to ensure that the victims board the flight from Goa and also the onward flight from Mumbai to Kenya.
In a large number of cases, magistrate passes repatriation orders and releases victims into self custody. The victims then produces tickets through traffickers, enter the airport from one gate and exit from other gate or travel to other area and then do not board further flights.
Founder and director of ARZ, Arun Pandey, said that while arranging for repatriation they found that one of the victims did not have money to buy tickets.
"So we bought the tickets with the help of the National Commission for Women, New Delhi," he added.
The victim reached her country safely, said Pandey, adding that they are working towards ensuring the victim gets employed with assistance from NGOs.
"I hope the Goa experience is shared by CISF all across India as a good practice. We have written to the NCW also to write to the CISF to follow practice when the NGO approaches them," said Pandey.