Human Traffickers Target North East Regions

New Delhi, 30 August 2013: A consultation on Anti-Human Trafficking and Women’s Safety, with a special focus on North East India, was held at the YMCA in New Delhi on 30 August 2013. The event was organised by Advancement of People’s Group, Vikalpa Dhara, and Shakti Vahini.

Mrs Mamta Sharma, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), was the chief guest. Other key attendees included Mrs Mamta Saha, Member of the Delhi Commission on Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), Dr Ramanath Nayak, Senior Technical Officer at the National Commission on Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and Mr O.P. Arora, Additional Commissioner of Delhi Police.

Mamta Sharma announced that a North East Cell would soon be set up to tackle human trafficking of women and children from the region. She stressed the need to raise awareness in rural areas, saying, "People living in villages must be informed about human trafficking."

She also pointed out that Haryana has a shortage of women due to honour killings and female foeticide. As a result, many girls are brought in under false pretences, often labelled as Nepalese, and forced into domestic work or other forms of exploitation.

Activist Rishi Kant highlighted another disturbing issue: "Girls from the North East are given fake Nepali passports with promises of city jobs. But once they arrive in Delhi, they are trafficked abroad for the sex trade without their knowledge. With these fake passports, it becomes difficult for Delhi Police to confirm their real identity, making it nearly impossible to trace them."

Mrs Mamta Saha, a member of DCPCR, spoke about her organisation’s role in child protection and assured the North-East community of her support in the fight against human trafficking.

Senior journalist Kishalay Bhattacharjee emphasised the role of the media in raising awareness about women’s safety. He revealed that underworld networks operate in the North East, making the region a transit point for human trafficking. He explained that traffickers take advantage of disasters like earthquakes, floods, and ethnic conflicts, tricking desperate parents into sending their children away with promises of free education, shelter, and jobs. He added that 60% of child soldiers are victims of illegal trafficking.

Reports suggest that human trafficking is widespread in the North East, with many women and children being sold to Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and other states.

The programme was attended by student leaders, NGOs, intellectuals, and media professionals from the North East.

~ BRUCE K. THANGKHAL
Media Incharge
NORTH EAST SUPPORT CENTRE & HELPLINE, DELHI

&

Special Correspondent

THE MIZORAM POST | MANIPUR CHRONICLE | ZOGAM TODAY

 

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