Imphal, October 10 2008: DGP Y Joykumar Singh has assured that Juvenile Police Units would be set up in all the districts of Manipur very soon.

Participating in a day-long State level consultation programme on 'Trafficking of women and children in Manipur' organised jointly by Women Action for Development and Manipur Police Department at the Banquet hall of 1st Manipur Rifles here today, Joykumar informed that process is already under-way in connection with setting up Juvenile Police Units in all the districts of the State in accordance to the guidelines given in the Juvenile Justice Act.

He further that there is report on trafficking women and children in Manipur.

How this is to be stopped and prevented should not left as the sole responsibility of the Police Department.

The Police Department alone would not be able to stop young girls and children of poor families from being taken out to other States or countries after convincing their parents with promise of job offer and or providing them free education.

Nonetheless, understanding the need for setting up Juvenile Police Units in all the districts as a step toward prevention of human trafficking, necessary process have already been taken up, the DGP said.

Giving the key note address of the programme, secretary of Women Action for Development M Subita pointed out that the prevailing conflict situation in the State has given a serious impact on women and children as well as in ensuing their due rights and privileges.

Observing that there has been a rise in the instances of rape, trafficking and abduction of women and children and recruitment of child soldiers by UG groups in Manipur, Subita noted that from July to October this year, reports related to trafficking of 42 girls and 21 boys have been received.

It is to facilitate discussion on what responsibility that the Police, NGOs and the Government should take in stopping such instances of human trafficking that the consultation has been organised, she said.

Participating in the consultation as one of the resource persons, Reader of Miranda House, Delhi University and president of Stop Trafficking and Operation of Children and Women Roma Debabrata observed that bringing about journal and newspapers related to the issues of human trafficking and rehabilitation of the victims are essential.

Judicial Magistrate First Class, Imphal A Nautuneshori said instances of violence perpetrated by men on women is quite rampant in Manipuri society.

There are even case of raping young girls by their own father.

Director of Social Welfare Department A Nabachandra, Pastor of MBC Centre Church Imphal Timothy Phaoimei, Reader of DM College of Arts, English Department Dr Ch Shreelaramani and woman activist Rani Maran also participated in the programme as resource persons.

Top officials of the Police Department and representatives of NGOs working on the issues of women and children were present during the programme.