Church leaders in Orissa state say they are alarmed by the increased trafficking of women from Kandhamal district, the epicenter of 2008 anti-Christian violence.

The Church has noticed a “huge surge” in trafficking “of young girls” from the violence-hit district, said Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak of Berhampure.

Bishop Nayak said victims of the Hindu extremist violence experience severe poverty since they have no jobs and are unable to cultivate their lands.

Families are “looking for ways to sustain lives.” When “security to life and food” is threatened, young girls become prey to traffickers’ false promises of jobs, a good salary and shelter, the bishop said.

He said girls dropping out of schools as their parents are unable to pay tuition fees have added to the problem. Young people are ready to make sacrifices for their families, he added.

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath, head of the Catholic Church in the state, said, “Persecution and violence have destroyed the life and livelihoods of our people” and urged Catholics “to be on the alert” for false promises of traffickers.