Trafficking cases dip in State

SHILLONG: Nineteen women and girls were trafficked from the State since 2012 and most of these cases are still pending in court.
Replying to a question by UDP’s Embhahlang Syiemlieh, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh told the Assembly on Wednesday that while there was a single case of trafficking in 2014 between the age group of 11 and 18, the number of girls from the age group of 18 and above trafficked since 2012 is 18.
Syiemlieh wanted to know from the minister whether he was aware that a seminar held in Kolkata had highlighted that an alarming number of women and children are being trafficked from Meghalaya.
To this, the minister said the information was wrong as there was a reduction in the number of cases over the years.
To a supplementary question by UDP’s Paul Lyngdoh, the minister said of the 19 registered cases since 2012, 15 have been pending with the trial court. Two cases from 2015 and one case (Contd on P-10)
Trafficking cases…
(Contd from P-3) from 2016 are still under investigation, he added.
The Home Minister, while replying to a question, said the state government would make efforts to set up anti-human trafficking units in all districts. Currently, only four districts have these units.