Training for Police on Prevention of Human Trafficking and Child Sexual Abuse
Source: IT News

Imphal, November 05 2019: India Suraksha in collaboration with Manipur Police and Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights is organizing a two day State Level Training Program for Police Officials on Prevention and Investigation of cases of Human Trafficking at 1 MR, Banquet Hall, Imphal on 4th-5th November, 2019 .

The main objective of the programme is to train the police officials on various prevention and investigation mechanisms to be followed by police in handling cases of human trafficking and child victims.

A total of Police Officers from different districts of Manipur participated during the first day of the training programme.

Training Program for Police on Prevention of Human Trafficking and Child Sexual Abuse

The programme is conducted as part of project Mukti-an Anti Trafficking initiative to combat human trafficking and child sexual abuse in Manipur implemented with the support of ECPAT Luxembourg since 2015 in Imphal and Ukhrul.

Shri T Guite, IPS, Addl Director General of Police (Modernization) graced as the Guest of Honour during the inaugural session of the two-day training programme.

Apart from him Mr Koijam Radhashyam Singh, IGP, Int/NAB, Mr H T Gangte, Director General of Police, Crime Branch, Ms Joyce Lalremmawi, SP, CID-CB, were also present as chief guests during the inaugural session.

Welcoming the participants and thanking the department FXB India Suraksha for organizing the two day training programme, Shri T Guite, IPS, Addl Director General of Police (Modernization) said that the subject which is of utmost important for the present time, during his inaugural speech.

He shared that definitions and protocols are present in the legislations and therefore it is the duty of the officials to follow the same and strengthen its mechanisms in preventing and combating the heinous crimes like trafficking and crime against children and women.

Koijam Radhashyam Singh, IGP, Int/NAB stressing upon prevention said, "More than investigation prevention is very much important.

One who becomes a victim of trafficking has to undergo various forms of trauma and stigma.

Counseling is therefore very much important.

We as police officials have to understand and be sensitive towards such cases and work towards reducing such instances" .

The day long training programme started with a welcome note by Satya Prakash, Program Manager, FXB India Suraksha introducing the purpose and objective of the training programme.

He stressed upon the fact that Manipur due to its geo-political location and sharing border with Myanmar in itself stands vulnerable in terms of trafficking of persons and smuggling of persons.

He thanked the Hon'ble Director General of Police and the Manipur Police department for collaborating and supporting in organizing the program.

He also informed about the drafting of the Standard Operating Procedures in addressing and handling cases of human trafficking.

Differentiating between Want, Need and Right, Mr Satya Prakash initiated his training sessions saying that Rights are non-negotiable and has legal connotation and goes beyond any age, gender, caste, race, religion or region.

Starting on the definition of a child he said, "Although different laws have defined a child differently, the only definition considered supremely as per the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of children) Act 2015 which says that any person below the age of 18 years should be treated as a child" .

He also discussed various provisions laid out under the law especially the procedures to be followed by children while handling children in need of care and protection and child in conflict with law.

The day long training concluded with the sessions on Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and the role of Police laid out under the law.

The session also included the comparison between POCSO and JJ Act which focused on how children who are victims of sexual offences should be treated as a child in need of care and protection and undergo the procedures as per the JJ Act.

Apart from that the daylong training focused on the definition of trafficking as laid out in Section 370 of the India Penal Code, reason of vulnerability, modus operandi in terms of source, transit and destination, trends and forms of trafficking.

The day long programme ended with movie screening for context setting, queries, suggestions and recommendations from the participants.

Till date FXB India Suraksha through project Mukti has been able to reach out to around 10,000 students and 15000 community people, religious leaders, community members through its various awareness generation programmes, trained around 400 law enforcement agencies including paramilitary forces, 300 Government officials, 200 journalists in Imphal, Ukhrul and Tengnoupal districts of Manipur.

Moreover, 4000 adolescents and teachers have been trained through adolescent clubs and 18 Vigilance Committees has been formed and migration registers being introduced in Ukhrul district.