Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 315/22

SENSITIZATION ON COMBATING CHILD TRAFFICKING HELD IN WGH

A One Day Sensitization programme on Combating Child Trafficking in Bordering Districts of India on the occasion of World Day Against Human Trafficking which was usually observed on 30th July, 2022 under the banner of Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav was held at District Auditorium, Tura on 2nd August, 2022. The programme was organised by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in collaboration with State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and District Administration, West Garo Hills, Tura.

An Expert Resource Person, Rahul Pawa presented a power point presentation on Combating Child Trafficking, protection, prevention and other related activities. In his presentation, he mentioned that Human Trafficking is the fastest growing organised crime next to drugs and weapons. He also deliberated on Child Rights, Constitutional Rights, Legal Mechanisms, Key mandate of NCPCR and other Child Related Acts, Comprehensive measures to combat the menace of human trafficking including exploitation of children in any form whether physical, sexual, etc., including reasons for trafficking, vulnerability factor and proposed strategy for preventing child trafficking in India.

The Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills Swapnil Tembe in his brief speech said that there should be more such programmes on these topics and added that it is necessary to inform people at large on how to prevent child trafficking and related activities in the region.

The Superintendent of Police V S Rathore said that sensitization on Child trafficking is necessary since many children are being taken out of the State for many purposes may be for Child Labour, bonded labour or for using their services without paying them wages or confining them in dingy accommodations, etc which violate Child rights and fundamental rights to children.Looking at the activities of the youth of the region and elsewhere, he reiterated that many youth have left their studies and indulge in illegal activities such as roaming in vehicles and partying etc, which creates nuisance for society as a whole. Stating that most of the time incidents of missing cases are reported very late since people try to first solve among themselves in the society and therefore, suggest that they should report at the earliest so that they can prevent the victim from assault and trauma thereafter to follow and urged the concerned departments to conduct these sensitization programmes on regular basis for the interest of the people.

The Member of the SCPCR Mir K Marak stated that there are many unreported missing cases of children in and around Garo Hills region especially near Assam which is increasing day by day adding that Garo people are easy to lure and they easily put their trust on others. Moreover, in this complex world, people are not sensitised enough and due to ignorance many such activities like bonded labour, physical abuse, etc takes place, he said.