OF THE VIDEOCONFERENCING OF THE STATE/UT NODAL OFFIERS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, HELD BY ADDITIONAL SECRETARY (CS) AT 11.00AM ON

Transcription

1 RECORD Of DISCUSSION OF THE VIDEOCONFERENCING OF THE STATE/UT NODAL OFFIERS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, HELD BY ADDITIONAL SECRETARY (CS) AT 11.00AM ON A Video conference of State/ UT Nodal Officers on combating trafficking in human beings was held under the Chairmanship of Mrs B. Bhamati Additional Secretary (CS), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 3rd November, 2010 to review and discuss the implementation of Comprehensive Scheme on strengthening the law enforcement response to trafficking through Training of Trainers (TOT) programmes and by establishing Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTU), sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs, issues relating to the functioning of the Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell in States/UTs and measures taken by States/ UT Administrations for effectively preventing and combating human trafficking. All State/ UTs participated except Maharashtra. 2. Initiating the discussions, Additional Secretary (CS) welcomed the participants and then emphasized the need for enhancing law enforcement response, so that offenders can be apprehended and convicted. She informed all nodal officers that IGNOU in partnership with MHA is offering a certificate course in Anti- Human Trafficking, details of which may be ascertained from the advertisement given in National dailies and also on IGNOU and MHA Websites. The intention behind this initiative is to accelerate the sensitization, awareness and imparting training to large number of law enforcement officials and other stakeholders like Prosecutors, other Government departments related to women and child welfare, NGOs etc and to supplement the efforts of MHA under its sanctioned scheme Strengthening the law enforcement response in India against Trafficking in Persons through Training and Capacity Building and its Training of Trainers (TOT) component proposed to be implemented by BPR&D. JS (CS) requested all States to share their experience and expertise related to investigation so as to compile SOP on Investigation based on the best practices. 3. Shri. Vaid, IG Training, BPR&D, explained the TOT Part of the Scheme and informed that the purpose of TOT, which entails/enables cascade training, is to pass knowledge and skills to colleagues who work at different levels to ensure that there is ground level sensitization and awareness amongst the law Page 1 of 8

2 enforcement personnel as well as other stakeholders so as to enhance their capacity to handle the issues relating to the crime of trafficking. The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) will be implementing the Training of Trainers component in coordination with MHA and State Governments and the Scheme aims to train about 10,000 police personnel over the period of next three years. He further informed that five Regional Training of Trainers (TOT) programmes will be organized to train Master Trainers at Maduban, Chennai, Bhopal and NEPA. He informed first Regional TOT is to be conducted at Police Academy, Madhuban, Haryana in the end of November. He requested nodal officers to keep the list of nominations ready. Dir (SR) inquired whether States have received the first installment of funds released by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA ) to set up around 118 IAHTUS throughout the country in first year of the Scheme. Most of the States confirmed the receipt of their allocated funds. 4. Representative from CBI informed about collection of data about missing persons. CBI collects information of missing persons and uploads the information on their website. He mentioned that States are not sending data in time. He requested all State nodal officers to send data missing persons promptly and also to corroborate this data with the data on trafficked persons in order to find out any link. 5. The representatives from States/UTs explained the various initiatives taken by them Representative of Madhya Pradesh informed that Rs lakhs for setting up of 8 Anti-Human Trafficking units released by MHA has been received. The eight districts where AHTU are to be set up have been identified as Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Jabalpur, Indore, Gwalior, Sagar, Rewa and Mandsaur. The administrative approval is being taken for purchasing vehicles and other infrastructure. Representative from Assam informed that Crime Against Women Cell has been opened in the State CID Organization. An all-women Police Station set up in Guwahati City for registering and investigating cases Page 2 of 8

3 relating to crimes against women. Anti Human Trafficking Cell is already created at CID Hqrs. IGP (CID ), is the Nodal Officer. Anti- Human Trafficking Cells also opened at all district Hqrs. Books on AHT received from BPR&D have been translated into Assamese and distributed to all training institutions. Topics on AHT included in basic course of Dy.S.P.,S.I. and in service courses in Police Training College, Dergaon, Assam. Special Juvenile Police Unit/Child Welfare Officer already created in all districts/ PS,s of Assam Police. Govt. of Assam is in receipt of required fund Lakhs for creation of 5 Anti Human Trafficking Units. In this connection, we have already identified 5 districts for creation of AHTU. Procurement for items is under process. After procurement, AHTUs at 5 locations will be created with men power and resource. Nodal Officer from Assam appreciated the initiative of MHA and IGNOU about the certificate course in anti trafficking and said its good opportunity for police personnel, NGO, Social Worker and others interested to study the human trafficking problem. He further submitted that a proposal for 10(ten) police person from Assam to attend the National Level TOT workshop to be organized by BPR &D has been approved and thereafter, the State Govt. will organize State Level workshop(s) with at least 2(two) representative from each districts, who will be trained by the officers who have attended the National Level Workshop. After this, district level training workshops will be organized in which these officers will impart training to the station house officers (O.C) of each PS of the districts. Sensitive areas/ routes /vulnerable areas/ groups of distress migration are identified. Field staff already directed to keep vigilance in Railway Stations/Bus Stops which are prone to movement of human trafficking. Due to constant vigilance by field units, Assam police has been able to rescue 142 nos. of women and children, 218 nos. of culprits were arrested, and 115 nos. of cases registered, since the year of NGOs are quite active in the state. Formal and informal interaction with NGOs are taking place at various level including at CID/ Hrs. Victim are being rehabilitated at State Homes with the help of NGOs. Anti Human Trafficking at CID Hqr. constantly monitor progress of cases and provide guidance for proper investigation to district investigation agencies. Close co-ordination is also being maintained with Page 3 of 8

4 Social Welfare Department, UNICEF and NIPCCD and NGOs who are actively dealing with AHT issues. Village Defense Party (VDP) of Assam is fully utilized to combat this menace. Training on AHT & Juvenile Justice System is being organized in collaboration with Social Welfare Department and UNICEF at all Districts in Assam. Review of SJPUs along with representatives of the Social Welfare Department & Judiciary was held at CID Hqrs. Similar review will be conducted periodically. Representative from Andhra Pradesh informed that Three AHTUs (Anti Human Trafficking Units) were set up in three regions of Andhra Pradesh i.e., for Andhra at Eluru, for Rayalaseema at Anantapur and for Telangana at Hyderabad on 22nd Jan-07 for the first time in India with MHA UNODC interface. State of Andhra Pradesh has received Rs.37,90,000/-as Grant-in-aid to the Government of Andhra Pradesh specifically for establishing five more Anti Human Trafficking Units in AP vide MHA, GOI vide lr.no.11-04/pr.a.o/mha/loan/gia/ / dt He further informed that 46 places of exploitation were closed u/s 18(1) of ITP Act by SDMs (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) in Guntur (8), Rajahmundry (2), East Godavari (16), Krishna (8), West Godavari (11), Kadapa (1) and Hon ble High Court of A.P did not interfere with SDM s orders when parties approached the court. Traffickers in 86 cases were convicted for the periods ranging from 4 years to 14 years rigorous imprisonment which is a conclusive proof of our synergy. Prosecution Department is also quite active and sensitized. There is active cooperation with NGOs who tender critical help during pre-rescue, rescue and postrescue operations across the country. A.P. Police went beyond the State to break traffickers network due to MHA UNODC Project empowerment and conducted rescues at Bhivandi, Pune, Chandrapur, Yavatmal (in Maharashtra State), Valsad (Vapi) in Gujarat, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi. Railways, RTC, Panchayat Raj Institutions were brought in the prevention loop with GRP / RPF officials & Railway officials who were sensitized with a local NGO (Divya Disha). Information regarding missing persons and unidentified dead bodies along with photographs is constantly put on CID website and it can be accessed on Representative from Rajastan informed that the state has received Rs 45,48,000,00/ sactioned by MHA and process is underway to establish six Page 4 of 8

5 IAHTUs in the districts of North Jaipur, Udaipur, Dholpur, Bharatpur, Alwar and JhunJhunu. address has been created as Representative of Bihar informed that State level Anti Human Trafficking Committee under Chairmanship of Chief Secretary and District level Committee under Chairmanship of District Magistrate have been constituted vide Bihar State Gazette 9 Extra ordinary) dated 31 st December A very elaborate arrangement for functioning of committees and rescue/rehabilitation programme has been made in the scheme Astitva. In 2008, 55 cases were reported in which 91 women and 90 children (Working as laboures) were rescued and 128 human traffickers were arrested. In 2009, 33 cases were registered in which 7 women and 123 children labourers were rescued. In 2010, till October 24 cases have been registered in which 20 female and 36 child labourers have been rescued and 77 human traffickers have been arrested. Rail Police Bihar has done commendable work in this regard. In 21 districts of Bihar, Anti-human trafficking units have established under Deputy-SP which are functional and are further strengthened under AHTU Scheme of MHA. In October, 2010, CID HQ, Patna in collaboration with ASTEC SAVE THE CHILDREN organized Workshops and Training Programmes on Anti Human Traficking in several districts. Representative from Kerala informed that Anti Human Trafficking Units are already set up in Kerala State and functioning properly for collecting Intelligence, after care and counselling for victims and victim support as well as to create awareness. There is no State unit as of now. MHA funds have not yet been received. Director ( SR ) informed about the release order and stated although copy of sanction letter will be faxed, but the matter may be chased with home Department of State. Investigating Officers are nominated for attending periodical training on Anti Human Trafficking in the Police Academy/Police Training College and other training Institutions. Inspector General of Police, Crimes is nominated as the Nodal Officer for Anti Human Trafficking in Kerala State. Representative from GOA informed that Funds amounting Rs. 7,58,000/- has been received from Government of India for establishing Page 5 of 8

6 Anti Human Trafficking Units. Sensitization Training programmes was conducted for the police personnel from the Goa Tourist Police Unit and the newly recruited Police Sub-Inspectors of the Department. The State of Goa has enacted a special act for Children i.e. Goa children s Act 2003 for giving deterrent punishment for offence. An Integrated Anti Human Trafficking Unit has been set up at women Police Station in the year 2007 as part of MHA-UNODC project. Also a Notification was issued in the year 2007 by the Govt. vide No. 2/43/2004-HD(G), appointing In charges of Police Stations as special Police Officer for dealing with offences under ITP Act. The Nodal NGO ARZ has been nominated as a Nodal NGO. The Crime Branch, Women and Child Protection Unit of Goa Police (Women Police Station ) and Police Stations in Goa have registered various cases against the traffickers and rescued victims involved in commercial sexual exploitation and child domestic labour. Synergy has been developed by the Goa Police with the NGO s namely ARZ, Children s Right in Goa (CRG), Bailancho Saad, Bailancho Ekvot, Sangath SCAN India, etc The Hotels, Guest Houses, Rickshaw Stands, Interstate Bus Stands, Railway Stations etc. are sensitized by local Police. A Women Police Station has been set up in the State of Goa at Panaji having jurisdiction over the entire State of Goa, dealing with offence against women & children, counseling for victims etc. The In charge of this Police Station is a lady officer of the rank of P.I. Data in respect of offences against Women and children are compiled for analysis as mentioned at 6.6. At the Women Police Station, Women Help line- 1091, Child Help Line is functioning. Similarly dial 100 facilities is functioning from Police Control Room, Panaji for the entire State of Goa. Regarding victim support, the instructions have been issued to all Police Stations in Goa that sex workers are to be treated as a victim and not a accused (Offenders). Victims are rescued with the help of NGOs (Non Govt. Officers) and after obtaining orders from concerned Sub Divisional Magistrate, they are lodged in the Protective Home run by the State. The counseling is given by the NGO to the victim. Also support is given by the NGO for their Rehabilitation. Instructions have been given to the Officers of the rank of Police Inspector posted in Police Stations in Goa who have been designated as Special Police Officers for the purpose of ITP Act to keep watch on Railway Stations, Massage Parlours, Hot`els etc. A Page 6 of 8

7 team has been formulated at each Police Stations consisting of one PSI, one HC & 1 LPC for collecting intelligence regarding trafficking of Children and Women. Goa is a Tourist spot for National and Inter-National tourists and as such has become a Transit point for Human trafficking activities mainly for commercial sexual activities. Informants are developed and evidence is collecting for conducting raids and to take legal action. The Goa State is in the process of formulating Juvenile Justice Act rules for the effective implementation of Juvenile Justice Act. A Notification was issued by the Govt. dtd constituting Special Juvenile Police Unit and appointing Juvenile Child Welfare Officers of the rand of Police sub Inspector/ Asst. sub Inspectors in 12 Police Station in North and 12 Police Stations South Goa. Nodal Officer from UP informed that Hindi translation of SOP on Investigation on Crime or Persons Trafficked for Commercial Sexual Exploitation has been completed and sent to MHA for further necessary action. account of Nodal officer has been registered and is as gmailid-ahtu-upcbcid@gmail.com. Funds amounting Rs / released by MHA has been received and process is under way to establish 12 IAHTUs. State has established All Women Police Stations in all district Head quarters. Nodal Officer from Meghalaya informed that Women Police Stations have been notified in All District Headquarters in the State. He also informed of close coordination with Social Welfare Department and NGOs working the state including Childline Foundation. ADGP, Tamilnadu, Mrs Archana Ramasundaram stated that the Tamil Nadu Police Academy is organizing regular quarterly training on human trafficking to the police personnel of all the ranks. A Two days sensitization programme for the Inspectors who are in charge of the AHTUs was organized by the CBCID at TNPA, Chennai on and Inspectors of Police attended the Training. She also stated that in Tamilnadu, Anti- trafficking Cell in the Head Qtrs has been given status of Police Station and States has established 38 IAHTU units on their own initiative. Funds released by MHA will be utilized to further strengthen these units. Page 7 of 8

8 Representative of Karnataka, informed that Addl. Superintendents of Police of the districts and Dy. Commissioner of Police, Crime in the Commissionerates have been appointed as Nodal Officers for their respective units to handle AHT work vide DG&IGP s Circular No. 32/CRM/SMS-4/2009 dated they have received the funds released by MHA and are in process of establishing IAHTUS. The representatives from the States of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana Manipur, Mizoram, Orissa, Punjab, Chandigarh and Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands also briefed about the steps taken/being taken by the State Governments/UTs in combating trafficking in human beings. 6. AS (CS), in her concluding remark requested all the state/ UT representatives to work hard in combating human trafficking. She also thanked the participants for sending the detailed reports of the good work done by the States in the area. JS (CS), in his concluding remark appreciated the work carried out by the State Governments, urged them to ensure higher rate of conviction. 7. The meeting ended with thanks to the chair. Page 8 of 8