Darjeeling is in lime light once again, but all for wrong reasons. After reports of cross border trafficking, the tea estate is reported to be flourishing in sex trade. The high rate of poverty and unemployment in the area is pushing many young men and women in this business. The security personnel are said to be a part in this illicit work.

 

Khalpara is a famous red light area where many young men and women earn their bread and butter. Mrinal Ghosh, a member of the Child Welfare Committee said that since most of the tea estates have been shut down, teenagers try to go to some other places, particularly Delhi, to earn for their families. The people involved in this business take advantage of their situation and through dalaals push them into this trade. The sex workers mainly try to attract the tourists as they offer good money. When the tourist season is over, they go away and again return the next season.

 

Mr. Ghosh also said that they have figures which show that most of the girls who are involved in prostitutions are from age group 10-18. Even the DM of Darjeeling said that the problem is a serious one and needs to be dealt with firm hands. Most of the girls involved in the business are abandoned by their families and the society when they return home.