‘Flesh trade is an organised crime’

Hyderabad: Women activists say that organised syndicates are luring women into marrying foreign nationals and sending them abroad. 

“In a few instances, they sent the women abroad on visit visas saying that they are going to join their husbands in Gulf countries. However, later they were forced into prostitution. There is no one to help them there and the women are trapped for years together,” says Ms Jameela Nishath, a social activist in old city. She explains that there is no safety of women who are married to foreigners so it is always safe to get a background check  done about the men.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (south), V. Satyanarayana, said that most of the victims of the marriages to elderly foreign nationals are from poor families. “Being poor and illiterate, they are unaware of the law and when their kin get trapped in foreign land, they get anxious and approach us for help. There have been instances when the women were sold to other rich persons and exploited,” said Mr Satyanarayana. “We advise women to stay away from the brokers who are targeting poor families,” Mr. Satyanarayana said.