BALANGIR: The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Director-General of Police (DGP), Odisha to conduct an inquiry into human trafficking in Balangir where two sisters were allegedly sold in Madhya Pardesh.
Acting on a petition filed by Kalahandi-based activist Dillip Kumar Das, the rights panel has sought a report from the State Police within four weeks.
Sources said Reena Pradhan and Rebati Pradhan, two sisters belonging to Mathanpala village under Titilagarh police limits, migrated to Andhra Pradesh to work in a brick kiln six years ago.
Later, a labour broker, Maheswar Pradhan of Suagpur village under Titilagarh police limits, allegedly sold them to two persons of Madhya Pradesh. They reportedly got married there. While Rebati married a person of Kakrang village in Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh, Reena is unable to recollect the name of the village. There they were tortured, the petition stated.
Later, they were deserted by their husbands. They came back to Mathanpala village a few weeks ago. They then faced social boycott in their village. Now they are living on a school verandah and begging for their survival. Rebati has a five-month-old baby.
Though Rebati had filed a complaint at Titilagarh police station against Maheswar after her arrival, no action has been taken as yet.
Das has requested the NHRC to instruct the State Government and the district administration to compensate the victims.