16-yr-old braveheart helps police find trafficked friends

A 16-year-old, who was trafficked from West Bengal four years ago, showed incredible courage in the face of adversity and helped a number of others like her to escape harassment at the hands of their employers. Faizan Haider reports.

A 16-year-old, who was trafficked from West Bengal four years ago, showed incredible courage in the face of adversity and helped a number of others like her to escape harassment at the hands of their employers.

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Richa (name changed) managed to escape from her employer's house in Paschim Vihar last month. But, instead of returning home, she decided to stay back and help the police rescue other girls who were also forcefully brought to Delhi with her.

From writing to the Delhi Police commissioner to informing NGOs, she did everything. And with her help, the police have been able to rescue two girls and are in the process of rescuing others too.

"In December 2008, I was lured with a job to Delhi along with my three friends. I was taken to a placement agency and was forced to work as a domestic help. I did not get any salary and they didn't even send money to my home," she said.

After escaping from her employer's house, Richa took an auto and reached a relative's house in Okhla. "The first thing I thought of was of my friends with whom I had come to Delhi. I told my cousin that I wanted to lodge a police complaint. I informed their parents in West Bengal and asked them to come to Delhi," she added.

Bachpan Bachao Andolan, an NGO, along with Delhi police's crime branch are conducting raids to rescue other girls too. One girl was rescued on Tuesday, who praised her brave friend. "In the past four years, our employers didn't allow us to talk to each other or our parents," said Shikha (name changed).

Richa said she will stay in Delhi and will help the police to rescue her friends. "I also have the details of the placement agency and police must take action against the agents for ruining our lives," Richa said.