Every year thousands of Punjabis fly to foreign lands for employment and better future. But for some, this dream turns sour as they are cheated by travel agents and given false assurances.

It is now getting even uglier, as some girls have alleged that they were sexually exploited in foreign land.

One of the victims of human trafficking, Manjit Kaur, said, "I spoke with my father and told him that I will wait till 4 pm and after that I will commit suicide."

It was the last thing her father, Gurdev Singh, expected to hear.

He had sold land and took loans to pay Rs eight lakh to a travel agent for her job in London. But she ended up in Ukraine where she was forced into prostitution.

Crying for justice, Gurdev Singh said, "We want the guilty to be punished. The government should think about us so that in future this doesn't happen to other girls."

"We ran away and sought help from a lady in Ukraine and narrated my entire story and told her that my travel agent took away my passport and travel documents. With her help, I was able to contact my family," added Manjit Kaur.

The family somehow got in touch with the Indian consulate. Within a week, she was back home. Her father doesn't know how he would pay back the debt. But right now, that's not his main concern.

The travel agent who tricked the family may just get away like many others.

When asked about the incident, B S Ramoowalia, former union minister and social activist said, "Travel Agents who indulge in human trafficking and cheaters are moving scot-free in Punjab. Earlier, they were only taking boys but now, for the last three to four years, they are even taking girls."

If a travel agent is apprehended, he is booked for cheating, fraud and abduction and can easily get away under these sections. It seems it is time for government to down come heavily on travel agents who exploit innocent villagers. NDTV News