Araria woman reunited with trafficked son after 13 years

Mother Reunited with Son After 13 Years of Trafficking

A 55-year-old woman from Araria district in Bihar was reunited with her son after 13 years. Officials reported that he was allegedly trafficked by a human trafficking racket. His experience highlights the operations of trafficking networks active in border areas.

Mother’s Struggle and Legal Action

Zarina Khatun shared her story, stating, “It is difficult to describe my legal struggle since 2012.” She explained that some villagers took her 12-year-old son, Jamshed alias Munna, promising to enroll him in a madarsa in Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh. She said her husband suffers from physical and mental ailments, leaving her to manage the family, which includes two sons.

After realizing they had been deceived, Khatun lodged an FIR against Mohammad Javed, Murshid, and Dukhkhan for human trafficking. She reported that after the FIR (52/2012) was filed, her family was forced out of their village, Kerla, under Bounsi police station. Their house was damaged, and they had to live on the roadside in Araria town.

Police and Judicial Support

Khatun expressed her faith in the police and judiciary. The prime accused, Mohammad Javed, was arrested. Three months ago, the ADJ-IV court in Araria rejected his bail and directed him to ensure the safe release of her son.

Munna was allegedly left at Araria railway station on December 26. However, he found his house abandoned upon returning to his village. Khatun said, “Later, the local police and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) reunited him with us on Monday.”

Munna’s Ordeal and Health Concerns

Munna, who was 12 in 2012, is now 25 years old. The family hopes to rebuild their lives. However, Khatun expressed concern over his health, alleging he was sold for ₹15 lakh and subjected to abuse in Bhadohi, Andaman, and Myanmar.

Recalling his captivity, Munna said he was taken to Bhadohi, then to Andaman, and later to Myanmar. He described, “There were many like me. We were made to work day and night and sometimes went without food. Injections were administered, and we were beaten if we were caught resting.”

He mentioned a failed escape attempt that resulted in brutal assault. Munna said, “I was later dropped in Nagaland and transported through trucks and tankers before being left at Araria railway station. From there, I was taken to my village in an auto-rickshaw.”

Health and Future Steps

CWC chairperson Deepak Kumar Verma stated that Munna has been admitted to a hospital for medical care. He noted, “His condition is not good due to prolonged physical and mental trauma. We hope to reunite more families affected by human trafficking.”

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Sushil Kumar confirmed the reunion. He said the recovered man would be produced before a court. “We will interrogate him to understand the trafficking network involved. All those responsible will be arrested,” he added.