From Our Correspondent
TURA, June 20: Various stakeholders from various sectors, including law enforcement, child protection agencies, line departments, community leaders, and local residents, conglomerated for a sensitisation workshop in Ampati on Thursday to hold deliberations and strengthen the fight against child trafficking.
It may be mentioned that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) and the South West Garo Hills District Administration conducted a sensitisation workshop titled ‘Prevention and Combating Child Trafficking 2.0 in 100 Bordering and Adjoining Districts of India’ in Ampati with an aim to heighten awareness and bolster efforts against child trafficking.
Organised as part of World Day against Human Trafficking, the workshop witnessed discussions on the ways and means to tackle the issue of child trafficking.
Addressing the gathering, South West Garo Hills Additional Deputy Commissioner, Raymond ZD Shira, while emphasising the critical nature of the event, noted, “South West Garo Hills shares borders with Bangladesh and Assam, making it crucial to discuss strategies to combat child trafficking with all stakeholders. Similar programmes are being observed in all districts sharing international borders.”
Shira also highlighted the district’s ongoing efforts to combat trafficking, including the operation of an anti-human trafficking unit by The Police department under the Superintendent of Police and the deployment of a special anti-human trafficking vehicle for the rescue of victims.
He then called for enhanced cooperation among stakeholders to effectively address and prevent child trafficking.
On the other hand, South West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police, Vikas Kumar, pointed out the involvement of large syndicates in trafficking operations and stressed the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to safeguard children.
Kumar also emphasised the importance of vigilance towards children studying away from home, as they are particularly susceptible to trafficking.
He reiterated that combating child trafficking is a shared duty and not solely the responsibility of the police.
MSCPCR member, Flabina Marak, highlighted the importance of strengthening family bonds and collective support to avert child trafficking, which, she added, could devastate families and severely impact the mental health of victims.
Marak noted that children are trafficked for various purposes, including organ trade, bonded labor, and sex trafficking.
Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ravi Sangma provided a presentation on preventing and combating child trafficking and educated participants on identifying and addressing the issue.