“We were kept in a red-light area,” GDA applicants from Barak Valley press allegations against the Centre in Silchar.

Around 30 female residents from various parts of Barak Valley enrolled in the General Duty Assistant Course at a center in Ashram Road, Silchar. According to them, each one was promised “Nursing Jobs” at various hospitals in North India.

“Initially, we were kept in Kapashera’s red-light area,” shares one of the 19 residents of Barak Valley who traveled to Delhi to pursue their job. “After completing the GDA course at the center, we moved to Delhi. They had assured us that we would be staying in Delhi and our food and lodging would be taken care of. But upon reaching there, we sensed their intention to exploit us. When we realized we could be victims of human trafficking, we contacted a guardian and managed to escape,” adds the resident.

Another student from the same center, who completed the course and traveled to Delhi for the job, added, “We were informed here that we would be involved in patient care duties in renowned hospitals like Sharda Hospital. However, upon arrival, we were not assigned jobs at Sharda Hospital; instead, we were taken to Ghaziabad and given duties like cleaning sofas and dusting doors. When we protested, stating that we were supposed to perform patient care duties, we were explicitly told that our job was to clean and dust.”

She emphasized that they had to pay Rs 3000 in rent for lodging, but the hostel was neither safe nor secure. “Men were wandering around and sleeping with other female residents. These factors heightened our fear, prompting us to leave. Coming from humble backgrounds, we were sold many dreams, which gave hope to our parents. Now, returning in this condition, we feel shattered,” she added.

A group of these students who completed the GDA course on Ashram Road visited the SP Office to meet Cachar SP, Numal Mahatta, and lodge an official complaint against the center.

The spokespersons of the center, on the other hand, have refuted the allegations. “Yes, they were staying in Kapashera, where there are many government offices. What makes them call that area a red-light area? Moreover, we never promised them nursing duties as it was a GDA course, and the scope of work was clearly explained to them. If they thought that by completing a six-month course, they would become nurses in premium hospitals of the country, then it is not our fault,” asserted the spokesperson of the center.

How this investigation unfolds remains to be seen. On one side, there is a center promising placement, and on the other hand, there are a group of women alleging they were trapped in a human trafficking racket. The allegations are significant, and the ball is now in the court of Cachar Police.