Punjab daughters return from Iraq and Muscat, reveal harrowing ordeal of human trafficking

Chandigarh: Two young women from Punjab have returned to their homeland with scars on their bodies, fear in their eyes, and trembling voices, recounting the horrors they endured in Arab countries.

Speaking at Nirmal Kutia in Sultanpur Lodhi, the women revealed that girls from Punjab, particularly from impoverished families, are being lured by unscrupulous travel agents and trafficked to countries like Iraq and Muscat, where they are treated inhumanely.

Their return, along with seven other stranded girls, was made possible through the relentless efforts of Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal.

The women disclosed that while human trafficking routes have shifted from Delhi to Mumbai, the illegal trade continues unabated.

At a meeting with Sant Seechewal on Sunday, the victims narrated their ordeal, shedding light on the torture and exploitation they faced. In response, the MP instructed the police chiefs of Moga and Barnala districts to prioritize the victims’ complaints.

Sant Seechewal condemned the activities of rogue travel agents and emphasized that only stringent action against them could halt the illegal trafficking of girls to Arab countries.

The incident has raised urgent concerns about the safety of young women and the need for stricter measures to combat human trafficking in Punjab.