Manipur has become a transit route for human trafficking: MACR convenor
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 21 2019:
Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) in collaboration with SANLAP Kolkata and Child Rights & You (CRY) organised a consultation programme on 'Human trafficking' for police officials and stakeholders at Royale Hall, Hotel Classic today.
Chief guest of the programme, Chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commission Khaidem Mani, while defining human trafficking as a heinous crime, maintained that police, social workers and NGOs concerned play important roles in keeping such crime of trafficking a person and illegal prostitution of children and women at bay.
Some countries are susceptible to human trafficking and is frequently carried out by mafias groups or Dons, he said.
Maintaining that the State should provide sanctuary when the human rights get violated, he added that police have bigger responsibility while dealing with such cases.
Khaidem Mani assured that Women Core Committee and Children Core Committee will be formed to facilitate, discuss and render policy and programmes for women and children.
He informed that a core committee for human rights violation has already been formed.
Meanwhile, IGP zone-I, Manipur police Clay Khongsai, who was present at the programme as one of the dignitaries, cited that, earlier, the reason for human trafficking was mainly poverty but now, there are many reasons behind the crime.
He continued that cases of cyber crimes could be one of the reasons for human trafficking as traffickers/mafia groups are engaged in selling women as commercial sex workers after giving them false promises or keeping them (women) under the impression that they will be taken as a wife.
The IGP urged all to remain vigilant and be aware of any suspicious actions while underlining the need to raise intense awareness among the rural, remote and hill districts.
On the other hand, Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) convenor Montu Ahanthem, while giving the keynote address, conveyed that Manipur has become a convenient transit route for carrying out cross-border human trafficking activities as the facial structure of the inhabitants is almost similar with Myanmar, which makes it easier for trafficker to take advantages by forging documents.
As per the experience of MACR, the main reason for the trafficker targeting the young children is the non-functioning of Govt schools in the remote areas, lack of awareness and occupation, improper implementation of welfare initiatives and poverty.
He stated that, as per the consolidated records collected from different sources between September 2013 till present day, it is alarming to find that the number of human trafficking case is 721.While poor socio-economic condition and armed conflicts have played a significant role in spurting trafficking in Manipur, the pattern has changed in recent times, he mentioned.
Child trafficking in the State, from 2008 to 2016 was mostly done in the name of free education, job placement at other States or countries, he said.
Narrating the recent rescue operation of trafficking in Moreh and Imphal in February this year, he noted that the State has turned into a safe transit route for trafficking across the Myanmar border.
He continued that MACR, CRY and other partners have organised around 24 training/workshop, in the past three years, to raise awareness for about 1280 police personnel regarding the matter.
While, Child Rights Awards for police officers conferred by MACR & CRY have also helped motivate the rank and force strengthen their fight against trafficking.
The consultative programme aims to ensure enhanced understanding of the police officials in framing charge sheet against the accused on child trafficking issue in Manipur context, he added.
Secretary of SANLAP Tapoti Bhowmick was also present at the function.
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