State Women Development Corporation managing director S Sidhu on Sunday released a report on girl trafficking in Bihar's Kosi region. The report prepared by a voluntary organisation, Bhoomika Vihar, is based on a survey of 58 villages spread out in four districts — Katihar, Purnia, Araria and Kishanganj. It refers to vanishing of a large number of girls from the villages on the pretext of marriage, job promises or due to love affairs. The report, entitled "Bojh" (Burden), suggests that a large number of such girls end up being sex workers and are sent to brothels around the country. The report has identified 173 cases in which girls have become victims of trafficking and given their case histories. It says that more than 85 per cent of the victims were below the age of 18 and that almost half of them belonged to Dalit castes. It suggests that about 33 per cent of the victim girls taken out of their villages on the pretext of marriage have vanished virtually without a trace. Releasing the report, Sidhu acknowledged girl trafficking as a major problem. She said women's home for victims of trafficking is no solution. Rehabilitation of such girls in society is a big problem because people refuse to accept them, she maintained, adding that rehabilitation of the victims should be done where they have grown. Arun Kumar of Bhoomika Vihar said girl trafficking is not an issue for society despite an alarming rise in the number of girls falling victim to this vice in the area. Referring to 25 red light areas in the four districts, he said they pose a great threat by spreading Aids in the region. He maintained that the laws against girl trafficking should be amended to ensure punishment to the culprits. Inakshi Ganguli Thakural of Campaign Against Child Trafficking said the problem is not confined to Bihar as it prevails even in richer states like Haryana. She referred to the "hostile attitude" of police when it comes to taking up trafficking cases. _