Were lured of free nursing, salary: Tribal girls

 

 

 

 

In a case that has spiralled into national controversy, the Durg unit of the Government Railway Police (GRP) has recorded statements of three tribal girls indicating that they were enticed with the promise of employment and cost-free nursing education. The developments come amid widespread political uproar over the arrest of two Keralite nuns and a tribal youth under human trafficking charges. The incident has drawn flak from across the political spectrum, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure due process. “The girls have stated they were assured Rs 8,000 per month during training and told their education expenses would be fully covered,” confirmed the Durg GRP Outpost In-charge.

 

He added that Sukhman Mandavi, one of the three accused, had brought the girls by bus from Narayanpur and Orchha, paying for their travel expenses. The GRP officer said the investigation is being personally monitored by senior officials and that a charge-sheet will be filed upon conclusion of inquiry. The incident unfolded on July 25 at Durg Railway Station following a complaint filed by Bajrang Dal activists. The GRP apprehended Sisters Preeti Marry and Vandana Francis-members of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI)-and Sukhman Mandavi while they were allegedly attempting to board a train with the three girls. All three were booked under relevant sections of human trafficking and are presently lodged at Central Jail, Durg. Allegations of attempted religious conversion, also raised by Bajrang Dal, are being investigated separately. Repeated calls by The Hitavada correspondent to Old Bhilai GRP Station In-charge Inspector Raj Kumar Borjha went unanswered.