Sale of children rampant in Gaya villages
The Times of India, Patna , May 31, 1995 .
By MALICK ASGHER HASHMI
Gaya, May 3O: It is here that Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is to this holy land that thousands of tourists troop down every year to attain peace and spread- its message. But there is much more to this land than just peace and Buddha. For some it is the trading ground for children.
Every winter boys aged between 6 - 12 mostly belonging to the poor Bhuiya caste of the villages situated in the periphery of Bodh Gaya arc sold for a paltry sum of Rs. 300 or even less to the Tibetan refugees, more commonly known as Bhutiyas. The modus operandi is simple. In the beginning the poorest of the poor villages are identified, touts are sent to motivate the villagers to trade their children for a price. Once motivated the buyer appears to sign a contract with the family members of the child. Once the deal is through the child is 'bought¡¦ with the tout taking home a huge commission. For the children it is the beginning of their tryst with slavery and despair.
Rangu Manjhi of Katorwa village in Bodh Gaya was sold for Rs. 500. According to Phulwa Devi his mother, the buyer had promised to send money every year. But even after two years she has not received more than Rs. 600, which comes to just Rs 25 a month Ramsahay Manjhi, Phulchand Manjhi, Chansur Manjhi and others have a similar tale to tell. They all sold their sons for a petty price.
Such children number eight each from Turhi and Bhagwanpur villages, 12 from Jaunpur and two from Moyarim village. All these children were traded during the past three years. According to unconfirmed sources, more than 14 children of Bamni, Silanja, Ratibigha and Bakror villages have fallen prey to the lure of lucre offered by the Tibetan refugees.
These children are mostly employed as servants by the Bhutiyas at their stalls or in their hotels. But in most cases their whereabouts remain a mystery. Nanka Manjhi of Mothrim village was sold to a Tibetan at the behest of a tout. Three years ago he was taken to Mussorie. Sometime later the tout informed his parents that Nanku has been mauled by a tiger. Similarly there is no trace of Rampravesh Paswan of village Bakror. According to his widowed mother Kesri Devi d Rampravesh was sold for Rs. 200, but till date there is no information of him.
When questioned by the police the, tout Sukhde Mahto informed that the boy was in Mathura . But he was nowhere to be found even there.
However some people believe that Rampravesh is dead. It is difficult to confirm the cause of his death, but there is no doubt about the fact that these children are made to slog day and night. Dilip of Bakror village who escaped from the clutches of his tormentor confirms it.
This land of Buddha would have remained silent spectator to the entire episode had it not been for the undaunted efforts of Mary Lobo, who runs the Nari Jagran Manch. In course of the literacy drive Mary Behan, as she is more popularly known, was told about the sale of children. This was in April 1993. After gathering details from the touts Mary Behan reached the Tibetan refugee camp in Odairaplayam village, some 40 kms . from Koligal where she found Sanjay of Katorwa village working in a hotel. Access to child was soon denied by the ¡¥owners'. But through clandestine meetings the boys told her there are seven children of Katorwa village working in the same refugee camp. These children were made to do all the household chores including looking after the cattle.
All pleas to the Gaya district administration fell on deaf ears. But the never-say-die-spirit of Mary Behan worked on undaunted. She soon found a sympathiser in Christopher of California who is a regular visitor to s Bodh Gaya. Through him she sent a ' detailed report to H.E. the Dalai Lama. This evoked no response nor did the next letter.
The only consequence of this detailed finding was all the touts went underground. When this correspondent tried to contact Nandlal he was told that ¡§he has gone out". Umesh, another tout, has built a palatial house in Gurua and lives there.
But now the villagers have nowhere to go. With the touts having vanished the villagers who sold their children to the Tibetan refugees have been forced to snap all ties. They do not know where the children are? They do not know whom to contact!
For once the Tibetan refugees have turned into Pied Pipers, they have taken the children away. But is there no justice in this land of Buddha ? And is His Excellency the Dalai Lama listening?
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