Saharsa, Bihar, Sept 16 : Self help groups, working in flood-hit Bihar, fear that desperation and poverty could lead to rise in incidents of child trafficking.

The incidents of children being sold by their parents to contractors are already quite high in the state, considered as poorest in the country.

Recently, the police rescued several children from a train in Saharsa district, who were being taken by a contractor after ''purchasing'' them from their parents.

"A contractor came to my house, an asked my father to send me along with him. He paid my father rupees 1, 000. While going with the contractor, the police caught me in the train and brought me here," said Santosh, a rescued child.

According to Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save Childhood Campaign), there has been a rise in the number of such incidents where parents are selling off their children for meager rupees 500) or 1000.

"Earlier there were very less cases, but now everyday we are coming across around 5-6 such cases," said Mukesh Kuamr Yadav, activist, Bachpan Bachao Andolan.

The new ban provides legal protection to millions of children. Those found violating the law could face up to two years'' jail and a maximum fine of 20,000 rupees or both. (ANI)