Combating Human Trafficking: FXB India Suraksha organized Joint Training Program at Moreh
Source: IT News

Moreh, April 28 2019 2019: FXB India Suraksha and Centre for Development Activities organized a one day training program for Law Enforcement Agencies on Human Trafficking in Moreh at Conference Hall of Integrated Check Post, Manipur on April 27, 2019 .

The main objective of the programme was to train law enforcement agencies including officials of Manipur Police and Assam rifles instrengthening mechanisms to ensure protection and safety of the children as well combating trafficking of persons from the bordering region of Moreh.

Over 50 Police Officers and Paramilitary officials participated during the training programme.

The programme was 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.

Th.Vikramjit Singh, Superintendent of Police, Moreh, Khamnam Robinsun, Additional Superintendent of Police, Moreh, Thomas Thokchom, Deputy Superintendent of Police and two Senior officials including the Town Commander of 43 Assam Rifles, Moreh were the chief guests of the programme.

Mr.Satya Prakash, Programme Manager, FXB India Suraksha was the resource person for the programme.

Sessions were organized on Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act,2015, Trafficking in Persons, addressing child sexual abuse and the role of Police and paramilitary force in addressing cases related to children and trafficking in persons.

Session methodology included discussion and documentary screening on human trafficking which experienced great interest from the participants.

The day long training programme started with a welcome note by Sunil Meitei, Project Officer, FXB India Suraksha introducing the purpose and objective of the training programme.

He stressed upon the fact that Moreh 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 both the forces for coming together and showing their interest in participating in the programme.

He also urged for the need for Standard Operating Procedures in addressing and handling cases of human trafficking.

In his inaugural speech Mr.Vikramjit Singh, Superintendent of Police, Moreh said, "Such training programme would be very fruitful to us because Moreh is a very vulnerable town to human trafficking and we have come across such cases in the paSt The procedures and legal provisions to be followed by Police in addressing such crime are very important" .

He also stressed saying, "Prevention is better than cure and hence preventing people from getting trafficked would be more impactful rather than investigating cases of trafficking.

Once someone gets trafficked, it becomes very difficult to trace them out.Therefore, our mechanisms should be such that we as Police force are able to stop someone from getting trafficked in the source i.e within Manipur itself rather than letting the person being taken to destination states like Delhi." Thanking Assam Rifles for always working in collaboration, the Senior Official said, "Police cannot work in isolation and has to work in collaboration with other departments such as Assam Rifles and Social Welfare Department in order to work in a holistic manner in addressing crime against children as well as human trafficking" .

He also appreciated the effort put together by FXB India Suraksha in bringing together two forces together to jointly organized the training session.

He strongly recommended to organize more training program on other aspects of Human trafficking in the district of Moreh as well other district of Manipur.

He showed interest in designing a standard Operating Procedure in Combating Human Trafficking for effective implementation of legal provisions with specific context to Manipur.

Senior official of 43 Assam Rifles congratulating FXBIS for organizing the training programme said, "This training programme is very important for the Jawans who are mostly deputed in safeguarding the Indo-Myanmar border in Moreh.

Working with the law enforcement agency i.e Police is under our provisions and therefore the coordination between both the agencies has to be very strong.

This training programme will help us to understand how to work in collaboration with Manipur Police while handling cases of human trafficking, signs of identification and the procedures to be followed in reporting cases of human trafficking" .

Building approach and perspective for the participants, 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, "many a times law enforcement officers use their own preferences and understanding although 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 session on human trafficking, its definition 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 and the procedures to be followed by police and paramilitary forces in identifying victims of trafficking and also the perpetrators, registration of FIR, effective investigation, legal procedures and overall protection to persons rescued.

The day long programme which was jointly organized in association with Centre for development Activities (CDAC)ended with queries, suggestions and recommendations from the participants to adopt integrated approach to fight human trafficking.

It was strongly recommended to work in close collaboration with Community Based organization like Hill Tribal Council, Meitei Council Moreh, All Community Development Organisation Moreh, religious leaders, youth organisations, NGO's, Taxi union and social welfare department to ensure and minimise the risk of children and women from being exploited on the pretext of better life opportunities.

Comment