Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 327/22

SENSITIZATION PROGRAMME ON COMBATING CHILD TRAFFICKING HELD IN KHLIEHRIAT

As part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a one day sensitization programme on Combating Child Trafficking was held today in the Conference Hall of the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat. The programme was organized by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and the District Administration, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat. The main objective of the campaign is to sensitize the key stakeholders on basic indicators to identify children at risk, vulnerable children, and prevention for combating child trafficking in bordering districts of the country

The Deputy Commissioner East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, Shri. A. Baranwal, IAS in his address said that as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Government of India along with the Government of Meghalaya has taken various initiatives to tackle social menace and to emphasize on issues that need to be addressed. He also stressed on the need to create awareness on child trafficking which also includes child labour, anything that prevents children from attaining their potential or anything which is causing violations of Child Rights. The Deputy Commissioner also stated that a consultative effort will be taken by bringing all the stakeholders together in order to ensure that no child is trafficked from the District to other places or from other places/districts into the District as it is a two-way flow that needs to be checked. We also need to address the broader issue of Child Labour, School Dropout Children and everything that pertains to Child Rights and if we analyzed these issues in its broad perspective, it all relates to poverty, he said while also stating the Government of India and Government of Meghalaya has taken various measures to alleviate poverty.

Shri. Abhijit Sharma, Expert Resource Person, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in his presentation on Combating Child Trafficking spoke about the Global Scenario of Human Trafficking, Human Trafficking in India, Rights of Children in the Constitution of India, Human, Child Trafficking Constitutional and Legal Mechanism, Vision and Mission of the NCPCR, Key Action Areas Under Section 13 and 14 of the CPCR Act,2005, Ministries, Institutions, Agencies, Establishments, and Schemes for Combating Child Trafficking, Vulnerability Indicators, Root Causes of Child Trafficking, Modus Operandi of Traffickers, Trafficking Network, Grooming and Response to Trafficking among other topics.

Shri. T. Kyndiah, District Child Protection Officer, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat in his speech said that human trafficking is the third most profitable organized crime in the world, and women and children are the most vulnerable to trafficking. With the advancement of technology like smartphones, internet, social media applications, children have become more vulnerable to trafficking and other related crimes, he said. He also stated that in order to combat Child and Human trafficking it requires a multi disciplinary approach of all sectors from the District Administration, Police Department, District Child Protection Unit Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board, Childline, and the Village Community Level, In charge of Special Juvenile Police Unit and Anti Human Trafficking Unit.