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In Malda, one of the poorest districts of West Bengal, migration, triggered by poverty and legitimized by social practice, is a ubiquitous phenomenon. Facilitated by an organized but unregulated racket of agents and touts, it is a process that represents risk-taking and a no-other-choice strategy for most migrants, with individual agency being exercised within asymmetrical networks of power. In this disenabling environment, children, children lead insecure lives, and – especially those from Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe and minority backgrounds – often fall prey to the lure of trafficking under the guise of a better life and income earning opportunities. Apart from studying the patterns of mobility and migration and their nexus with organized systems of exploitation, Perilous Passages – highlights the efforts and interventions of local community based organizations in bridging critical gaps in the system. The document is essential reading for those interested in linking larger macro issues of development with ground realities, and is recommended for development professionals, researchers and policy makers.