MINUTES OF THE MEETING VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING WITH STATE/UT NODAL OFFIERS ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING, HELD BY ADDITIONAL SECRETARY (CS)

AT 11.00AM ON 17.7.2012 A Video conference of State/ UT Nodal Officers of Haryana, Punjab, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh on combating trafficking in human beings was held under the Chairpersonship of Mrs. B. Bhamathi Additional Secretary (CS), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 17th July, 2012 to review and discuss the implementation of Comprehensive Scheme on strengthening the law enforcement response to trafficking through Training of Trainers (TOT) programmes and by establishing 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. All States/ UTs participated in the video conferencing. 2. Initiating the discussions, Additional Secretary (CS) welcomed the participants and provided the introductory remarks. AS(CS)informed that a Judicial Colloquium is scheduled to be held on 29th July, 2012 in Chandigarh and discussed with Principal Secretary (Home), Punjab regarding Session Plan and resource persons. AS(CS) further informed that resource material will be provided by MHA in a CD and copies should be made of it to be distributed to the participants. AS(CS) further requested that a good report of the Colloquium may be prepared by using Rapporteurs and sent to the MHA as this is first workshop of its kind. UT of Chandigarh may also be formally kept informed and invited to be part of the Colloquium. She further requested that costs of resource persons and resource materials will be borne by MHA, while the Chandigarh Judicial Academy be requested to make boarding, lodging arrangements for the participants from the judiciary. (Action : MHA) 3. As regards rescue operations, AS(CS) said that it is learnt that rescues are being conducted by the police on their own without taking assistance from NGOs and other stakeholders like WCD, Labour Department, CWC etc. This procedure could often result in re-trafficking of the victims in the absence of counseling and other victim supportive
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facilities which could undo police efforts. She informed that an SOP under UNODC project exists and may be used. She further requested that the main job of police is to arrest, prosecute and confiscate under law the assets of the traffickers/crime syndicates who are behind the crime, which requires that investigation should be done effectively. She further informed that to equip the senior police officers to deal with the crime of human trafficking from the organized crime perspective, CBI is organizing a three days workshop from 18-20th July, 2012 and requested for response of DCBI to his call for nominations. (Action : States/UTs) 4. AS(CS) informed that MHA has reliably learnt that vehicles purchased for the AHTUs are being misused and are not in the possession of AHTUs in some States/UTs. This should be strictly dealt with. She advised that a AHTU sign board may be put up on the vehicles. She further informed that digital cameras provided to the AHTUs are also not being used for the purpose. She stressed 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. (Action : States/UTs) 5. All the participants were requested to send details of cases registered and rescue operations conducted AHTU-wise. This will be a good indicator about ground level functioning of AHTUs. (Action : States/UTs) 6. All the States/UTs were requested to give their inputs on the agenda items of the meeting. Details of efforts made by the State Governments/UTs regarding establishment of AHTUs is at Annexure-I. (Action : States/UTs) 7. Representative of Punjab informed about the initiatives taken by them to prevent and combat human trafficking in the State. They have established eight AHTUs. The State level ToT would also be conducted soon in consultation with MHA. Enrollment in IGNOU course would be expedited. AS(CS) was of the view that Punjab has started taking initiatives in right direction in reference to human trafficking and these efforts may be sustained. (Action : Punjab)

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8. Representative of Haryana informed about the establishment of AHTUs in the State in three new districts of Karnal, Rohtak and Hisar. Procurement of vehicles is in process. Haryana was told to increase number of enrollment in IGNOU course and also conduct their District level TOTs. Haryana Police Academy, Madhuban has been assigned the task of organizing Regional TOT for Prosecutors for Northern States. In this regard, letter has been written to all Home Secretaries of concerned States for nominations. Haryana would also need to nominate 6-8 prosecutors for the training at Madhuban. BPR&D/MHA may be approached for sanction of budget. The Session Plan and resource persons will be finalized in consultation with MHA. AS(CS) appreciated the initiatives of Haryana in combating crime of human trafficking and asked them to take a further lead and work closely with CBI regarding busting organized gangs of traffickers. (Action : Haryana)

9. AS(CS) advised the representative of J&K to expedite setting up of AHTUs sanctioned in 2011-12 and involve other departments and stakeholders in TOTs and AHTUs and increase enrollment in IGNOU course. They were requested to nominate 6-8 prosecutors for the regional ToT to be held at Madhuban by Haryana Government. (Action : J&K) 10. Representative of Chandigarh informed that 30 persons have been nominated for IGNOU course but there is no online facility for the course. They were requested to contact Director, School of Law, IGNOU in this regard. They were requested to nominate prosecutors in adequate numbers for the regional ToT at Madhuban. (Action : Chandigarh) 11. Representative of Delhi informed that 11 AHTUs in 11 Districts of Delhi and one in Crime Branch have been established. AS(CS) informed that rescues are conducted in big numbers but re-trafficking of rescued victims is also reportedly very high. They were asked to review the position as to the number of cases registered and number of cases taken

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to logical conclusion. They were also asked to work closely with Jharkhand regarding placement agencies and take actions on the actionable points of the meetings held in MHA regarding placement agencies. Delhi Police will hold the State prosecutors training after the regional ToT for prosecutors is held at Madhuban (Action : Delhi Police) 12. Representative of Himachal Pradesh informed that approval for establishment of AHTUs for the year 2011-12 is awaited from Home Department. As regards IGNOU course, HP informed that there is some problem with Regional Centre as they are not accepting applications for less than 30 persons. AS(CS) informed that the VC, IGNOU had agreed to start the course even if the number is less. (Action : HP) 13. Representative of Rajasthan informed that all units in the State are functional and funds have been utilized. They were asked to send AHTU wise details of cases registered to MHA. Rajasthan was requested to organize the State prosecutors training after getting the session plan/resource persons/resource materials finalized in consultation with MHA. It was noted that this arrangement is put in place, despite the fact that Rajasthan did not participate in the regional ToT conducted by Maharashtra. (Action : Rajasthan) 14. Representative of UP informed that AHTUs have been established in 24 districts. JS(CS) requested that State nodal officer to visit the AHTUs established and inspect their functioning. This will also provide opportunity to rectify misuse of any resources. UP informed that response towards IGNOU course is not encouraging as police personnel are not well versed in English and they want the course to be conducted in Hindi. UP was requested to take up the matter with IGNOU under intimation to MHA. As regards rescue operations, UP informed that 17 rescue operations have been conducted and 75 women and children were rescued and in addition 131 child labour have also been rescued in Varanasi. AS(CS) told UP to give assistance to NGOs for rescue. AS(CS) asked for a detailed report about rescue operation conducted at Meerut and action taken to apprehend and prosecute the traffickers and the organized gangs operating in this area. AS(CS) informed UP that out of 35
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children rescued from Meerut, only 9 (including 2 Nepalese) were saved and others were re-trafficked. (Action : UP)

15. Representative of Madhya Pradesh informed that funds for the training has been given to the Training Branch by BPR&D and they are facing difficulties to get the funds transferred for conduct of district level training. Conveying her disappointment, AS(CS) told them to tie up with the Training Branch. MP was requested to send a copy of notification vide which AHTUs for the year 2011-12 have been set up in the State. MP informed that response towards IGNOU course is not encouraging as police personnel are not well versed in English and they want the course to be conducted in Hindi. MP was requested to take up matter with Prof.Elumalai, Director, School of Law, IGNOU under intimation to MHA. MP was also informed regarding a NGO report on missing children which has been sent to the State for investigation. AS (CS) advised MP to constitute a Committee involving DWCD, Urban Deptt. in the matter and take necessary action. MP was advised to take up with BPR&D/MHA for sanction of money to conduct State level prosecutors training. This arrangement is being put in place despite the fact that no nominations were sent from MP for the regional ToT at Maharashtra. The session plan/resource persons/resource materials will be finalized in consultation with MHA. State may approach BPR&D/MHA for budget. (Action : MP) 16. Representative of Gujarat informed that 10 AHTU have been established in the State and all AHTUs have vehicles. He also informed that State of Gujarat is collaborating with NIC on populating the data on the National Portal on missing children. He was requested to conduct their District level training for police personnel and State level training for Prosecutors, since they could not participate in the regional ToT of prosecutors conducted by Maharashtra. (Action : Gujarat)

17.

The meeting ended with thanks to the chair.

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