LG asks law enforcement agencies to prepare action plan to strike human trafficking network

STATE TIMES NEWS

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday stressed upon the law enforcement agencies to analyze three important aspects – origin, transit and destination and prepare a priority action plan to strike at the root of Human Trafficking Network.
“In order to eradicate this crime, our coordinated response must focus on vulnerable groups such as children, women, labourers, displaced persons and it should be ensured they are identified and sufficiently protected,” the Lt Governor said while addressing the National Seminar on Anti Human Trafficking Awareness organized by National Commission for Women, in collaboration with Social Welfare Department and J&K Police, on Thursday. He shared valuable suggestions to effectively deal with the challenges of Human Trafficking in a comprehensive manner.
“Trafficking in persons is the most heinous form of organized crime which requires holistic and coordinated action by all the stakeholders at all levels,” said the Lt Governor.
“Law enforcement agencies, civil society groups, youth and every section of the society must unite to raise awareness of this issue, safeguards people from exploitation, effectively combat this violent crime and to dismantle the criminal network,” he added.
The Lt Governor asked the Anti-human trafficking cells to forge partnership with youth clubs and civil society groups.
“Anti-Human trafficking cells in the districts require a comprehensive approach and partnership with civil society and youth to prevent trafficking and assist the law enforcement agencies to punish the traffickers. Our small effort can save many innocent people from exploitation,” he said.
The Lt Governor said the Government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance for crime against women and committed to punish the criminal networks or individuals behind this heinous crime.
J&K UT has lowest number of cases of human trafficking. Rescue and rehabilitation is the priority. We are also fully committed to setting up Anti-Human Trafficking Cells in all the districts of J&K. Moreover, 202 women’s help desks have been set up in all the police stations of the UT, he further added.
The Lt Governor also highlighted the significant role of security forces in establishing peace in J&K and ensuring safety of the people.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor announced recruitment for the posts of Anganwadi’s Sangini and Sahayika. More than 4000 appointments will be made in a transparent manner soon. District Commissioners have been directed to complete the recruitment process within one month, he added.
Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice of J&K and Ladakh High Court said, the human trafficking mainly affects women and children. We should focus on the prevention part and the judiciary has a role to play where perpetrators are taken to task, he added.
Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women stressed upon awareness in the society.
Rekha Sharma, chairperson, National Commission for Women (NCW), which organised the seminar, said human trafficking is a very serious crime “and these days, it doesn’t have boundaries whether it is Kashmir or Kanyakumari, this is prevalent everywhere”.
“Sometimes, even the victims do not know that they are victims of human trafficking, which is because of the lack of awareness. This is our first of its kind programme in J-K, where all the forces, NGOs, state commissions, everybody is together to talk about it, to make people, especially students, aware of the problem, that nobody is out of reach of this problem,” she told PTI.
Asked when the women’s commission would be functional in Jammu and Kashmir, she said “the process is on”.
“Otherwise, when the state assembly, the government is there, then they nominate the state commission. But, they (the government) are thinking out of the box something, and I think the files are on the move,” she added.
To a question about unregistered domestic help agencies in J-K, she said that is also one way of trafficking.
“They make promises to women, get them here or anywhere else in India, saying that they will get paid well or get a job, but they do not get paid properly, and (they are) being misused.
“In Kashmir, trafficking through marriage has increased. Women are being brought from West Bengal on the promise of a job, but then forcefully married off to somebody,” she said. Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary reiterated the UT Administration’s commitment to eradicate Human Trafficking.
Members of National Commission for Women, senior officials from civil administration, police and other law enforcement agencies, and civil society members were present.