US state dept report: Children forced to join Maoist ranks in Chhattisgarh to act as couriers

RAIPUR: TOI stories on children swelling Maoist ranks in Bastar was endorsed by a recent US state department report — Trafficking in Persons report, 2015. The report states children as young as six are forcibly ejected from their families and launched by terrorist groups like Maoists to act as spies and couriers, plant improvised explosive devices and fight against government.This is prevalent in states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Odisha.
While India is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking, 90% of India's trafficking problem covers Dalits and tribals from excluded groups, the US State department report says.
TOI in its reports highlighted how Bastar is serving as a major child trafficking hub and immediately after children get into teens, Maoists take them away to camps.
NGOs in Bastar told TOI the situation worsened over the years and kids are being pampered by parents in fear they would join Maoist ranks. Teenagers are quitting studies and demanding gadgets, motorbikes, mobile phones from parents, threatening parents with becoming Maoists if their demands aren't fulfilled.
"Children drop out in Class 7 and 8 and are not seen after that. These children are found missing when we go for a survey in villages. Either they are whisked away to jungles or trafficked by relatives to neighbouring states," a representative of a national NGO told TOI.
Sukhram Kawde, a surrendered Maoist who was Jan militia commander in north Bastar division had told police children residing in government residential schools in Narayanpur were highly vulnerable as cadres force children to join them.
Sukhram, who was recruited as a child said, "Kids are used to install iron rods under the ground to attack security forces, guard camps and promote Maoism among people."
Sources in home ministry reported that nearly 4000 children, including girls were recruited by Maoists in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand between 2010 and 2012, all in the age-group of 10-15.
A report submitted to UN Security Council in 2010 with National Commission for Protection of Child Rights indicated that children were being recruited by Maoists through 'intimidation and abduction'. "Children being used in bal sangham or bal manch," the report said.