INDIA (ANS) -- Around 1.2 million children are believed to be involved in prostitution in India.

1) The horror of child trafficking

According to the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) “human trafficking is a major problem” and they believe that 90 percent of human trafficking in India is “intra-country.”

According to Mr. Ashwani Kumar, head of the Central Bureau of Investigation said that India has occupied a “unique position” as what he called a source, transit nation and destination of this trade.

India's home secretary Madhukar Gupta remarked that at least 100 million people were involved in human trafficking in India.

“The number of trafficked persons is difficult to determine due to the secrecy and clandestine nature of the crime.

“However, studies and surveys sponsored by the ministry of women and child development estimate that there are about three million prostitutes in the country, of which an estimated 40 percent are children,” a CBI statement said.

Prostitution in pilgrim towns, exploitation through sex tourism and pedophilia are some of the “alarming trends” that have emerged in recent years in India, it noted.

To find out more information on how to join the fight against child trafficking and prostitution: visit: www.indianrescuemission.org or http://rescuemissionindia.weebly.com.

James Varghese is a reporter for Masihat newspaper in India, and is also a freelance journalist working for ANS.