NHRC notice to Andhra Govt on sale of girls by parents

New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission has sent notices to the Andhra Pradesh Government and the DGP on the reported sale of girls by their parents and sought a factual report within two weeks on the issue.

Taking suo moto cognisance of media reports, the Commission said if the reports are true, the incident raises serious issue of human rights violation of the girls.

According to the reports, young girls are being sold for Rs 12000 in Rajamundry district of the state and turned into sex workers.

The reports said the parents of the girls were forcing them into flesh trade. At least 41 girls were rescued from various places in Maharashtra and 37 of them belong from Andhra Pradesh, they said.

Twelve brokers and two parents were also arrested, the reports said.

NHRC has also sought a factual report from the Maharashtra Government over the alleged murder of a British tourist in the state. The Commission has also directed the state DGP to set up an inquiry into the incident.

The complaint was referred by Minority Affairs Minister A R Antulay. British tourist, Stephen Bennett was found hanging from a tree in Malasai village in Raigad district.

UNI