Imphal, April 11: To curb the problem of child trafficking in the State, an efficient Government committed to the cause is required, Member of Manipur Human Rights Commission Ng Nongyai has stated.

With the Government of Manipur so weak, the problem of child trafficking in the State is likely to surge beyond control, he expressed concern while inaugurating a workshop on child trafficking at State Youth Centre, Khuman Lampak here today.

The workshop was organised jointly by Manipur Mahila Kalyan Samiti and Coalition on Children's Rights to Protection. The weakness of the existing Govt machineries, prevailing armed conflict situation, drug abuse and HIV/AIDS problem and degeneration of the traditional social institutions and escalating unemployment problem among other reasons has led to a situation where the problem of child trafficking may be on the rise, Nongyai said, drawing the attention of the Government for taking up necessary preventive measures in this regard.

Earlier, giving the key note address, secretary of Manipur Mahila Kalyan Samiti S Sarju explained that trading of a child or a person and then forcing them to engage in certain profession as their will like working as servant in private houses, forcing them to work as commercial sex workers, exploiting them sexually and removing their body organs for selling, etc come under the definition of human trafficking or child trafficking.

In accordance to the UN report, every year around 7 to 20 lakhs child and women are being trafficked from one country to another crossing over the international border.

The existence of the problem of child trafficking in Manipur has been indeed confirmed with most of the cases reporting from Churachandpur district.

Yet the State Government has not taken up any adequate measures to stop this problem.

So the collective effort of the people is essential to stop child trafficking, she said.

President of Manipur Mahila Kalyan Samiti M Purnimashi Devi and senior journalist AK Sanaton attended the inaugural function of the workshop as president and guest of honour respectively.

In the technical session of the workshop in the morning, Advocate S Paikhomba spoke as resource person on the topic of 'Child trafficking: Legal challenges and strategies'.

Advocate Ng Tejkumar moderated the session.

In the afternoon session of the workshop moderated by Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee Ng Mangsatabam, MS Rita of MLS spoke on 'Sexual abuse and trafficking of girl child in Manipur' as resource person.

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