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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.