Post on 27-Nov-2015
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MINUTES OF THE MEETING VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING
WITH STATE/UT NODAL OFFIERS ON HUMAN
TRAFFICKING, HELD BY JOINT SECRETARY (CS) AT 3.00 PM
ON 31.7.2012
A Video conference of State/ UT Nodal Officers of Odisha,
Tripura, Mizoram, Goa, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, D&N
Haveli, Puducherry, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Kerala, Meghalaya,
Manipur, Nagaland and Bihar on combating trafficking in human beings
was held under the Chairpersonship of Mrs. B. Bhamathi Additional
Secretary (CS), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 31st July, 2012 to
review and discuss the implementation of Comprehensive Scheme on
strengthening the law enforcement response to trafficking through
“Establishment of Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTU), sanctioned by
the Ministry of Home Affairs and issues relating to conduct of TOTs by
the States at State level/District level, training of Prosecutors and
enrolment in IGNOU course.”
2. Additional Secretary (CS) and Joint Secretary (CS) welcomed all the
participants and raised certain common and generic issues which need to
be implemented by all States/UTs.
3. A number of trainings had been completed and this should now be
translated into results. Nodal Officers were requested to supervise the
work of offices closely. Monthly crime meetings at the SP or DG level
should set aside some time on Human Trafficking and Missing people.
Actions related to filing of charge-sheet, progress of the case in the court
should be tracked and updates be collected to ensure that the case is taken
to its logical conclusion. Re-trafficking should not take place at any cost
as this would undermine the confidence in the police. Efforts of the State
Police in this respect would be an important parameter for consideration
of giving of awards next year.
4. The information that could be gained from victims would be very vital
and counseling and proper environment should be provided to bring the
person out of trauma. In case of non-availability of counselors the
Department of Psychology of the local university could be explored.
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5.Most of the States were sending their monthly reports in the revised
proforma devised to NCRB only and not marking the copies to MHA.
They were requested to send soft copies of the data to the CS Division of
the MHA also.
6.There were serious concerns regarding the non-deployment of vehicles
purchased for the AHTUs as it has been reported that they were not in the
possession of AHTUs in some States/UTs. The State Nodal Officer
should immediately take it up with the SPs and ensure their availability
with the AHTUs. Every vehicle should have anAHTU signageput up on
the vehicles.Digital cameras provided to the AHTUs are also not being
used for the purpose. It was pointed out that these infrastructural
components were provided to strengthen the functioning of AHTUs and
their misuse defeats the basic intent of the comprehensive scheme of the
Ministry.
7.All the participants were requested to send details of cases registered and
rescue operations conducted AHTU-wise as the monitoring process would
need to go to a higher level. Moreover it would be a good indicator about
the ground level functioning of individual AHTUs.
8. It had been observed that traffickers were getting bail easily as only
ITPA sections were used. IPC sections and specially Section 376, a non-
bailable offence should be used so that they do not get bail easily.
9. All State Nodal Officers who have taken charge recently of Anti
Human Trafficking were requested to update themselves about the SOPs,
resource materials, advisories and other reading material provided by the
MHA. Also, for the convenience of the officers at the lowest level who
are not well versed in English, it should be ensured that translation is done
in local languages and the requisite information is passed on to all levels.
10. A report of the workshops held on anti-human trafficking in the States
should be sent to the MHA. Case studies of the missing children may also
be sent.
11. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) with support
from the MHA and other stakeholders has recently started a national portal
on missing children called `Track the Missing Child’ available at
http://trackthemissingchild.gov.in/ which has been piloted by the NIC in
West Bengal. This portal also take care of found children which are found
in Shelter Homes under MWCD and other NGOs which will enhance the
possibility of tracing out missing children much more effectively. Hence all
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states should ensure that the police stations/Missing Persons’ Bureaus use
this portal for uploading data on missing persons and effective tracing of
missing children. TheNIC has started contacting the States for conducting
training both for police and personnel of Child care institutes on the
module. States/UTs already on ZIPLINE will also switch over to this
module. All States should utilize this opportunity to be onboard the national
portal and train their personnel.
12. Notification of AHTUs as special police stations would give a big boost
to anti-human trafficking efforts as is being done in Tamil Nadu and other
states were requested to take it up with their respective Governments.
REVIEW OF THE STATES
Andhra Pradesh
Representative of Andhra Pradesh informed that 5 AHTUs have been set up
in the year 2010-2011 and that the UC would be furnished with a week. He
further informed that for the year 2011-2012, 5 districts have been
identified. The State level ToTwas held in the year 2011. As the
enrollment in IGNOU course was low atleast 30-40 nominations were
required from the State.
Chattisgarh
Representative of Chattisgarh informed about the establishment of AHTUs
in the State in four districts of Korba, Raigarh, Jashpur and Sarguja out of
the funds for the year 2010-11. UC has also been submitted for Rs. 23.46
lakh and Rs. 6 lakh was still to be spent. He further informed that four
districts have been identified for setting up of AHUTs out of the funds
released for the year 2011-12 which are Mahasamand, BIlaspur, Baroda
Bazar and Jhanjgir. One State Level TOT and four District level TOT were
conducted. Procurement would be shortly completed and UC for the year
2011-12 would be sent as early as possible. Reports in the format sent to the
NCRB would also be sent to MHA.
Odisha
Representative of Odisha informed that 6 AHTUs would be setup from the
funds sanctioned in 2011-12. Regarding TOTs, he informed that TOT for
prosecutors as well as for 6 more ToTs could not be conducted due to non-
receipt of funds from BPR&D.He was advised to contact BPR&D in this
regard. The Regional Centre of IGNOU had rejected the nominations of
non-State applicants for the course, he was hence asked to contact Dr.
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Ellumali, Director, School of Law, IGNOU to sort out the problem. They
were also asked to send reports in the format devised by the NCRB may
also be sent to MHA through emails. AS(CS) requested the Nodal Officer
to have a separate VC with JS(CS) regarding the issue of non-receipt of
funds by Odisha from their Women and Child Development as intimated by
the nodal officer.
Goa
Representative of Goa informed that one AHTU each has been set up for
the year 2010-11 and 2011-12 in North Goa and at Margao under South
Goa respectively. UC for the year 2010-11 has already been sent. One
State level TOT and one District level TOT conducted. As regards IGNOU
course, 13 officers have enrolled themselves and nodal officer informed that
they have spoken to other departments and NGOs for enrollment and the
course is over. Goa was requested to send soft copies of the reports sent to
NCRB regarding human trafficking and missing children to MHA and also
send session plan to MHA for approval for Prosecutors training.
Karnataka
Representative of Karnataka informed that 5 AHTUs have been set up out
of funds released for the year 2010-11 and UC has also been sent and four
more AHTUs have been sanctioned.Nodal officer assured that AHTUs for
the year 2011-12 will be set up within a month’s time. State level TOT was
conducted in February, 2012 and four district level TOTs are to be
conducted. 11 officers have been enrolled and three more have come
forward for the IGNOU course. He was requested to organise the State level
TOT for Prosecutors. The nodal officer of the State was told to have a
separate VC with the JS(CS) on the issues.
Tamil Nadu
Representative of Tamil Nadu informed that 6 AHTUs have been set up for
the year 2010-11 and UC has also been sent. For the year 2011-12, process
is going on. As regards IGNOU course, TN informed that 36 persons have
been enrolled. Tamil Nadu was requested to send soft copies of the reports
sent to NCRB regarding human trafficking and missing children to MHA.
They were also requested to send Session Plan and list of resource persons
for Prosecutors training to MHA for approval.
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West Bengal
Representative of West Bengal informed that 4 units in the State are
functional and funds have been utilized. WB informed that UC has been
sent on 14/12/11 but the same is not available with MHA and hence were
requested to send the same again. As regards IGNOU course, WB
informed that 5 persons have been enrolled and formats devised by NCRB
on human trafficking and missing children have been circulated to all
districts. The work of the Kolkata Police would need to be addressed and
the Nodal Officer was requested to send a detailed report regarding Kolkata
Police. The nodal officer of the State was told to have a separate VC with
the JS(CS) on the issues.
Kerala
Representative of Kerala informed that AHTUs have been established in 3
districts. The newly appointed nodal officer of the State was requested to
go through the Comprehensive Scheme of MHA and other materials. The
Nodal Officer was also requested to send soft copies of the reports on
human trafficking and missing children.
Mizoram
Representative of Mizoram informed that 2 AHTUs have been set up and
UC has also been sent. One State level and 8 district level TOTs have been
conducted but BPR&D has to release 20% of the remaining funds. He was
requested to contact BPR&D in this regard. The ToT at Kolkata for
prosecutors could not be availed by the State and the Nodal Officer was
directed to conduct State level TOT for Prosecutors. As regards IGNOU
course, Mizoram informed that 32 persons have been enrolled (24 are
police officers, 4 students, 3 from NGOs and one other). He was requested
to send details of IGNOU enrollment and soft copies of the reports on
revised format of NCRB to MHA also.
Jharkhand
Representative of Jharkhand informed that 4 units have been established
in the State for the year 2010-11. He was requested to identify districts
for the year 2011-12. As regards UC, Jharkhand informed that UC has
been sent but it has not been received in MHA. He was requested to send
the same again. He was also requested to make efforts for enrollment in
IGNOU course. No report has been sent to the NCRB on HT and neither
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was the report for missing children submitted. Nodal Officer agreed to
send the same quickly.
Assam
Representative of Assam informed that 5 units have been established in
the State for the year 2010-11. Districts have been identified for the year
2011-12. UC has already been sent for Rs. 34.72 lakh out of Rs. 37.9
lakh. It was made clear that no revalidation of sanction order was required
as funds have already been transferred to the State. Four State level and
13 district level TOTs conducted and 30 police officers have been
enrolled. The ToT for prosecutors at Kolkata could not be availed off and
hence a State level ToT should be arranged. No report has been sent to the
NCRB on HT and neither was the report for missing children submitted.
Nodal Officer agreed to send the same quickly.
Maharashtra
Six AHTUs out of funds sanctioned in 2011-12 are being setup and
equipment is yet to be given to them. As the Regional ToT for prosecutors
had participation from three states only the 2nd
Regional ToT should be
organised by Maharashtra. The new format on HT is being followed and
the new format for missing children is yet to be adopted. Nodal Officer
promised to do the needful.
Meghalaya
AHTU in Jaintia Hills to be setup.ToTs could not take place as funds were
not received from the BPR&D. No report has been sent to the NCRB on
HT and neither was the report for missing children submitted. Nodal
Officer agreed to send the same quickly.
Manipur
AHTUs would be setup in the Bishnupur and Senapathi Districts.
Enrollment in IGNOU course is poor. Nodal Officer was requested to
improve the enrollment. No report has been sent to the NCRB on human
trafficking and neither was the report for missing children submitted.
Nodal Officer agreed to send the same quickly.
Arunachal Pradesh
Training of prosecutors would be taken up after the 14th August. No report
has been sent to the NCRB on HT and neither was the report for missing
children submitted. Nodal Officer agreed to send the same quickly.
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Puduchery
One AHTU setup with own funds. One State level ToT for Police Officers
has been held. Prosecutors training will be conducted shortly. 40 officers
were enrolled in IGNOU course. New format for missing children is being
followed. New format for reporting human trafficking is yet to be
followed.
D&D and DNH
One AHTU has been setup out of own funds. A 3-day workshop has been
held in which 30 police personnel participated. One regular APP has been
recently appointed and he would be sent for training to adjoining state.
One officer enrolled for IGNOU and he has been transferred. 1st quarter
data for 2012 has been sent. Soft copy will be sent to MHA. New format
for missing children was not received and will be sent soon to NCRB.
The meeting ended with thanks to the chair.