Awareness programme on Trafficking held
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 12 2011:
District ICDS Cell, Imphal West District and Social Welfare Department, Government of Manipur in association with the Human Rights Law Network (Manipur) organized a One day Awareness Programme on Human Trafficking at EEMA Conference Hall, Keishampat Junction, Imphal today.
S Radhapyari, Secretary, Economic & Environment Management Association (EEMA) and Wahengbam Joykumar, Deputy Ombudsman (MGNREGA), Imphal East graced the function as the President and Chief Guest respectively.
Thokchom Premlata, Advocate and Assistant Director, Human Rights Law Network (Manipur) facilitated the programme on the topic "Possible legal intervention against Human Trafficking".
Manoharmayum Ranjana, Programme Officer, District ICDS Cell, Imphal West District also facilitated the programme on the topic "Problems of trafficking in Manipur".
Interaction with the participants on various issues pertaining to problems of human trafficking in Manipur was the highlight of the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, Thokchom Premlata stated that trafficking in human beings, especially of women, and children has become a matter of serious national and international concern.
Commercial exploitation of the most vulnerable section of society - women and children has become a massive organized crime and a multimillion dollar business in recent times.
Every nation is engaged in combating this trade in human misery through legislative, executive, judicial and social action.
Trafficking of children is a worldwide phenomenon affecting large numbers of boys and girls every day.
Children and their families are often lured with the promises of better employment and a more prosperous life far from their homes.
Others are kidnapped and sold.
Trafficking violates a child's right to grow up in a family environment and exposes him or her to a range of dangers, including violence and sexual abuse, she said.
"In India too, over the last decade, the volume of human trafficking has increased though the exact number are not known.
It is one of the most lucrative criminal trades, next to arms and drug smuggling undertaken by highly organized criminals.
Unless, a public opinion is built, laws effectively designed and implemented, the situation constantly monitored and the nexus of traffickers exposed, children will continue to be victims of trafficking.
Coordinated efforts are required to stop and prevent child trafficking" she said.
Premlata further lamented that although India has a fairly wide framework of laws enacted by the Parliament as well as some State legislatures, apart from provisions of the Constitution which is the basic law of the country, the menace of human trafficking has been increasing without any break.