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500 Nepali kids sold to India circus companies

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-18 23:55

KATHMANDU -- It is estimated that more than 500 children under 14 have been sold to circus companies in India last year, Nepali national news agency RSS reported on Thursday.

According to the latest report -- Report on Condition of Nepali Children - 2008 -- prepared by Central Child Welfare Committee, those children were sold to Indian circus companies on various pretexts.

The report stated that majority of the children sold to circus companies hail from districts in southern Nepal like Bara, Makwanpur, Chitwan, Janakpur, Nawalparasi, Morang, Udayapur, Sarlahi and Ilam. They were sold, while their parents were lured with handsome money, it said.

Between 2004 and 2007, the report stated 217 children were rescued from various Indian cities, adding that the number of children rescued reached 292 till the end of May this year.

Quoting the parents, the report said against the pledge to provide 8,000 to 10,000 Nepali rupees (around 114 to 143 US dollars) per month in lieu of the contracts with circus companies, parents of the sold children were not even paid 500 rupees (around 7 US dollars).