Child Recruitment in Naxal Groups Declines in Palamu, But Traffickers Target North Indian Markets – What You Need to Know

Child Trafficking in Jharkhand’s Palamu Region

In recent years, the fight against Naxalism in Palamu, Jharkhand, has made headlines, but another crisis persists: child trafficking. While Naxal activities have decreased, the trafficking of children is now a critical issue.

Historically, Naxalites were known for kidnapping youths to recruit them into their ranks. A report from Parliament highlighted that groups like CPI(Maoist) have been known to recruit minors in states like Jharkhand and Bihar. But as Naxalism wanes, traffickers have shifted their focus. They now exploit vulnerable families in areas once dominated by Naxal activity, often promising jobs in cities like Delhi and Mumbai.

According to local authorities and NGOs, poverty and illiteracy create fertile ground for traffickers. Families struggling to make ends meet see these offers as potential lifelines. Vishnu Dev Singh, a former local leader, has witnessed many children go missing. He states, “Smugglers deceive families, promising jobs. Many kids never come back.”

Data from the Jharkhand Labour Department shows that in 2024-25, only 15 child laborers were freed in Palamu, revealing a troubling reality: the actual number of trafficked children is likely much higher. Since 2020, more than 150 children have been rescued, but these represent just a fraction of the issue.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) began tracking human trafficking cases from Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) in 2016, leading to startling statistics. In 2022 alone, 2,250 human trafficking cases were logged nationwide, with Telangana, Maharashtra, and Bihar reporting the highest numbers.

In Jharkhand, on average, one child goes missing every eight minutes, establishing it as a significant hub for trafficking. According to NGOs like Action Against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children (ATSEC), around 42,000 girls from Jharkhand have been trafficked to metros over the last decade. Victims often include both genders, with girls primarily trafficked for domestic work and sexual exploitation, while boys are often forced into labor.

The problem has deep historical roots. In 2015, Jharkhand reported 29 child trafficking cases amidst over 3,000 nationwide. Since that time, awareness has grown, leading to a separate focus on gathering data related to child trafficking.

In an illustrative case, ten minors were rescued from Daltonganj Railway Station in 2025. They were on their way to work in a cooler factory in Delhi. Stories like that of Dularia Devi, whose child went missing in 2014, paint a grim picture of the long-term impact of trafficking on families. Despite law enforcement capturing traffickers, many children remain unaccounted for, and support systems for affected families are often inadequate.

The challenges of poverty are amplified by the lack of educational and economic opportunities in regions like Manatu. Families often feel trapped, forced to make choices that can lead to devastating outcomes. As one mother of two rescued boys stated, "I took a loan for my daughter’s marriage, and there was no assistance for my children."

This cycle of exploitation underscores a pressing need for comprehensive strategies to combat not only child trafficking but also the root causes of poverty and illiteracy that allow such acts to persist. In battling these issues, greater awareness, legislative efforts, and community support are crucial for protecting vulnerable populations.

For additional information on human trafficking trends and statistics, visit the National Crime Records Bureau.

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CHILD SMUGGLERS IN JHARKHAND, FROM NAXALS TO BONDED LABOUR, POVERTY DRIVES THE RACKET, PALAMU CHILD TRAFFICKING, ACUTE POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT CONTINUE TO LURE FAMILIES TO TRADE THEIR CHILDREN