Aizawl: Mizoram has recorded 18 cases of human trafficking during the last 11 years, DGP Lalrokhuma Pachuau said here on Thursday.
Speaking at a three-day state-level training of trainers on anti-human trafficking, which began today, the top cop said the 18 cases were official records and the actual number of human rafficking incidents could be much higher as many cases went unreported due to fear of stigmatisation.
”Mizoram is no longer an exception to human trafficking, which is one of the biggest organised crimes in the world next only to arms and drugs smuggling,” Mr Pachuau said.
As India is one of the worst victims of human trafficking, the Home Ministry has put emphasis on training the law enforcement agencies and social activists on the issue, he said.
”With Rs 15.16 lakh sanctioned by the Ministry, Mizoram police department has set up a well-equipped anti-human trafficking units in Aizawl and Lunglei districts, and we have applied for permission to set up one in Champhai district,” he said.
Each Superintendent of Police of the eight districts is made nodal officer for human trafficking, he said.
The training, held at the police headquarters’ Arya Mess, aimed to chalk out strategies to meet the emerging challenges in human trafficking which is stated to be on a steady rise in the Northeast India, including Mizoram.
Earlier this year, a sensitisation programme on anti-human trafficking and capsule course on investigation of human trafficking case had been organised for police.
This is the first state-level training of trainers in Mizoram and would be organised in other districts in due course of time.
Even though human trafficking cases are dealt by assigned police officers, SP or deputy SP, in each district, the DGP underlined the need for working with NGOs like in other states to fight the crime more effectively.
Like any other backward state, Mizoram is vulnerable to human trafficking and most of the victims have been lured out with a promise of job. (UNI)