Workshop on child trafficking organised
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 30 2022:
Under the aegis of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) organised a one day state level workshop on 'Combating child trafficking in Manipur' at the hall of Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Chingmeirong on Wednesday.
Speaking as chief guest of the event, IGP Zone-I Themthing Ngasangva stressed the need for concerted efforts in combating the challenge of child trafficking, as any further delay will only worsen the issue.
However, as trafficking is being done by those with international links, police also face numerous problems in putting a stop to the same.
Observing that parents/ guardians, out of their wishes for ensuring a better future of their children, often hand over their kids to people in blind trust; Themthing said that the kids are often pushed into bonded labour or prostitution, making them victims of such serious crimes.
It is not easy to investigate such cases, he stated, while remarking that the problem is often due to parents/guardians making poor decisions out of their wishes for the good of their children.
Thus, he urged for concerted efforts in putting a stop to child trafficking.
Themthing then said that the Indo- Myanmar international border is a prime spot for trafficking.
As such, police are trying its level best to prevent all forms of trafficking, he said, while adding that all concerned in the state need to take the responsibility in this regard mote seriously beyond what encompasses normal duty.
Delivering the presidential speech, MCPCR chairperson Phurailatpam Manibabu Sharma remarked that children often become victims of trafficking due to poverty.
Trafficking takes place when a person is viewed as a commodity and not as a living human being.
Child trafficking cannot be stopped just by police, Social Welfare department or the Commission, but it also needs the cooperation of the IT and Transport departments along with general public.
"NCPCR has made a prediction of a spike in child trafficking due to the financial woes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.
To prevent this, coordination amongst all sections is the need of the hour.
The existing rules and Acts alone cannot deal with this problem, but needs sincere, concerted efforts of all concerned," he contended.
In his speech as the guest of honour, Social Welfare director Ngangom Uttam stressed the need for all to be vigilant against child trafficking and abuse.
Parents/guardians should be vigilant against offers of free education on religious ground.
Any lapse in taking decision in this regard could lead to a trafficking case, he remarked.
He then urged all concerned not to employ underage children to work as household helpers, while stating that this custom/ trend should be put to an end immediately.
Meanwhile, the media should cross check the recruitment advertisements put up by private firms, while further ascertaining the authenticity of such advertisements proactively.
Presently, a juvenile police unit has been set up and the police department has been imparting training from time to time.
However, after the probationary period is over, the fully trained personnel often opt for other police units, which is a problem as well.
Thus, Uttam urged for maintaining the juvenile police unit even if the trained police personnel are sent to other units.
During the technical session, MCPCR former member Montu Ahanthem spoke on the topic of 'To assess the factors responsible for trafficking of children both at source and destination during post lockdown'; Additional SP CID (CB) N John on 'Identification of source, transit and destination for trafficked/kidnapped children and to understand the modus operandi of traffickers/agencies'; and Social Welfare Department programme officer (CCU) Mala Lisham on 'Initiatives taken up by the state level, district level and Panchayat level authorities in preventing and combating child trafficking', as resource persons.
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