At the age of 13, Madhubani Jatuya (name changed) fell victim to human trafficking, orchestrated by a relative, as she was forcibly transported from South 24 Parganas Laxmikant Pur to Bihar. In an exclusive interview with Millennium Post, this courageous young survivor recounts her harrowing journey. Undeterred by the challenges she faced, the resilient minor is currently dedicating herself to preparations for the imminent board examination.
Enduring a financial crisis, Madhu Bani’s family, with her father toiling as a migrant laborer and a younger sister to care for, struggled to put meals on the table. In the midst of these hardships, the 13-year-old found solace in her passion for dance and drawing, honing her creative skills. However, tragedy struck when she moved to her grandmother’s place in Sonarpur, seeking a chance to carve out a life for herself. Unfortunately, a known acquaintance, Joyeeta Das (name changed), exploited Madhubani’s vulnerability by offering her an opportunity to perform and earn money for her struggling family.
Tragically, the promising prospect turned into a nightmare as Madhubani was blindfolded and taken on a bus purportedly headed to Kolkata. Upon inquiry, she discovered the horrifying truth – she was transported to an enclosed room in an unknown location in Bihar, alongside several other women from West Bengal. Vigilant and resourceful, Madhubani successfully held onto another girl’s mobile phone, through which the fellow victim managed to contact one of her friends. Subsequently, the girl’s family filed a complaint, and on December 25, 2020, sought assistance from the police and CID to address the situation.
Responding promptly, law enforcement conducted a raid on the traffickers’ hideout, rescuing Madhubani and the other victims. In an exclusive interview with Millennium Post, Madhubani disclosed that the trafficking group had sinister plans to sell them in Nepal. Moreover, the victims endured further torment as they were subjected to drugs, abuse, and torture whenever they resisted the perpetrators’ commands. The courageous survivor’s testimony sheds light on the dark realities of human trafficking and the resilience required to break free from its clutches.
Madhubani, a survivor of the Ilfat human trafficking vascular group, has found solace and support through shelter and counseling provided by the organization. Despite her acceptance into society, Madhubani laments that she and her fellow survivors continue to face derogatory remarks from neighbors, family, and villagers. Undeterred, Madhubani has taken charge of her future, securing admission to a private school and diligently preparing for the upcoming board exams. In a brave step forward, she expresses her determination to break the cycle of trafficking, sharing her aspirations to assist other victims by providing them with shelter and essential support. Actively involved in workshops alongside seven other leaders, Madhubanien envisions a future where she can lead a normal life while contributing to the well-being of those affected by human trafficking. The survivor-led forum known as “Ilfat,” based in Delhi, was established by survivors of human trafficking. Currently, Ilfat boasts a membership of over 4,000 survivors across 12 collectives situated in seven states across India. As the first Pan-India survivors forum, Ilfat plays a crucial role in providing support and empowerment to those who have experienced human trafficking.