RECORD Of DISCUSSION OF THE VIDEOCONFERENCING OF THE STATE/UT NODAL OFFIERS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, HELD BY JOINT SECRETARY (CS)

AT 11.30AM ON 18.1.2011 A Video conference of State/ UT Nodal Officers on combating trafficking in human beings was held under the Chairmanship of Shri K.K. Pathak, Joint Secretary (CS), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 18th January, 2011 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, enrolment of candidates in certificate course launched by IGNOU in partnership with MHA, issues relating to the functioning of the Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell in States/UTs and measures taken by States/ UT Administrations for effectively preventing and combating human trafficking. All States/ UTs participated except Maharashtra, J&K, Sikkim and Tripura. 2. Initiating the discussions, Joint Secretary (CS) welcomed the participants and inquired whether States have received the first installment of funds released by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA ) to set up around 110 AHTUS throughout the country in first year of the Scheme. Most of the States confirmed the receipt of their allocated funds and process for establishment of AHTUs is going on. Some States informed that they have obtained approval of the competent authority and tenders have been floated for procurement of vehicle and other items. Few States informed that the units established will be given powers of full fledged police station. Most of the States informed that the units so established will not be given the status of a police station and units will only be designated from the existing units working in the area.

3. As regards Training of Trainers (TOTs) workshops, JS(CS) expressed his concerns about low participation in the TOTs and informed about the TOTs to be held in Bhubaneswar and Bhopal and requested all concerned to nominate large number of participants. He also informed about 2nd TOT to be held in Delhi from 3-5th February, 2011 for Northern States except Haryana who participated poorly in the TOT held in Madhuban, Karnal. He requested for
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large participation from the States as low participation defeats the very basic purpose of the Regional TOT, which intends to create a pool of Master Trainers in State who are to provide further training at State and District level. 4. JS(CS) also informed the participants regarding low enrolment of candidates in the certificate course in Anti- Human Trafficking launched by IGNOU in partnership with MHA. In this regard, he informed that an Advisory has been issued to all the State Governments for mandatory enrolment of the officials who are dealing with the subject of human trafficking.

5. Representative from CBI informed about collection of data about missing persons. CBI collects information of missing persons and uploads the information on their website. He mentioned that States are not sending data in time. He requested all State nodal officers to send data missing persons promptly and also to corroborate this data with the data on trafficked persons in order to find out any link. 5. The representatives from States/UTs explained the various initiatives taken by them Representative of Madhya Pradesh informed that Rs 60.64 lakhs for setting up of 8 Anti-Human Trafficking units released by MHA has been received. The eight districts where AHTU are to be set up have been identified as Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Jabalpur, Indore, Gwalior, Sagar, Rewa and Mandsaur. The administrative approval is being taken for purchasing vehicles and other infrastructure. Representative from Assam informed that Crime Against Women Cell has been opened in the State CID Organization. An all-Women Police Station set up in Guwahati City for registering and investigating cases relating to crimes against women. Anti Human Trafficking Cell is already created at CID Hqrs. IGP (CID ), is the Nodal Officer. Anti- Human Trafficking Cells also opened at all district Hqrs. Books on AHT received from BPR&D have been translated into Assamese and distributed to all training institutions. Topics on AHT included in basic course of Dy.S.P.,S.I. and in service courses in Police Training College, Dergaon,
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Assam. Special Juvenile Police Unit/Child Welfare Officer already created in all districts/ PS,s of Assam Police. Govt. of Assam is in receipt of required fund 37.90 Lakhs for creation of 5 Anti Human Trafficking Units. In this connection, we have already identified 5 districts for creation of AHTU. Procurement for items is under process. After procurement, AHTUs at 5 locations will be created with men power and resource. Nodal Officer from Assam appreciated the initiative of MHA and IGNOU about the certificate course in anti trafficking and said its good opportunity for police personnel, NGO, Social Worker and others interested to study the human trafficking problem. He further submitted that a proposal for 10(ten) police person from Assam to attend the National Level TOT workshop to be organized by BPR &D has been approved and thereafter, the State Govt. will organize State Level workshop(s) with at least 2(two) representative from each districts, who will be trained by the officers who have attended the National Level Workshop. After this, district level training workshops will be organized in which these officers will impart training to the station house officers (O.C) of each PS of the districts. Sensitive areas/ routes /vulnerable areas/ groups of distress migration are identified. Field staff already directed to keep vigilance in Railway Stations/Bus Stops which are prone to movement of human trafficking. Due to constant vigilance by field units, Assam police has been able to rescue 160 nos. of women and children, 218 nos. of culprits were arrested, and 135 nos. of cases registered, since the year of 2009 and 2010. NGOs are quite active in the state. Formal and informal interaction with NGOs are taking place at various level including at CID/ Hrs. Victim are being rehabilitated at State Homes with the help of NGOs. Anti Human Trafficking at CID Hqr. constantly monitor progress of cases and provide guidance for proper investigation to district investigation agencies. Close co-ordination is also being maintained with Social Welfare Department, UNICEF and NIPCCD and NGOs who are actively dealing with AHT issues. Village Defense Party (VDP) of Assam is fully utilized to combat this menace. Training on AHT & Juvenile Justice System is being organized in collaboration with Social Welfare Department and UNICEF at all Districts in Assam. Review of SJPUs along with representatives of the Social Welfare Department &
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Judiciary was held at CID Hqrs. Similar review will be conducted periodically. Representative from Andhra Pradesh informed that Three AHTUs (Anti Human Trafficking Units) were set up in three regions of Andhra Pradesh i.e., for Andhra at Eluru, for Rayalaseema at Anantapur and for Telangana at Hyderabad on 22nd Jan-07 for the first time in India with MHA UNODC interface. State of Andhra Pradesh has received Rs.37,90,000/-as Grant-in-aid to the Government of Andhra Pradesh specifically for establishing five more Anti Human Trafficking Units in AP vide MHA, GOI vide lr.No.11-04/Pr.A.O/MHA/Loan/GIA/2010-11/1097-1102 dt.3.8.2010. http://www.cidap.gov.in/ Representative from Rajastan informed that the state has received Rs 45,48,000,00/ sactioned by MHA and process is underway to establish six IAHTUs in the districts of North Jaipur, Udaipur, Dholpur, Bharatpur, Alwar and JhunJhunu. Email address has been created as nallimorrisbabu@rediffmail.com. TOT workshop was conducted in Jaipur from 12-14th January, 2011 in which 28 Officers of Rajasthan participated. Representative of Bihar informed that State level Anti Human Trafficking Committee under Chairmanship of Chief Secretary and District level Committee under Chairmanship of District Magistrate have been constituted vide Bihar State Gazette 9 Extra ordinary) dated 31st December 2008. In 21 districts of Bihar, Anti-human trafficking units have established under Deputy-SP which are functional and are further strengthened under AHTU Scheme of MHA. In October, 2010, CID HQ, Patna in collaboration with ASTEC SAVE THE CHILDREN organized Workshops and Training Programmes on Anti Human Traficking in several districts. Funds have been received by them. He further informed that women Police Stations have been established in all the Districts of Bihar. Representative from Kerala informed that Anti Human Trafficking Units are already set up in Kerala State and functioning properly for collecting Intelligence, after care and counselling for victims and victim support as well as to create awareness. MHA funds have been received and
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procurement is in process and these units will be given powers of full fledged police stations. Investigating Officers are nominated for attending periodical training on Anti Human Trafficking in the Police Academy/Police Training College and other training Institutions. Representative from GOA informed that Funds amounting Rs. 7,58,000/- has been received from Government of India for establishing Anti Human Trafficking Units. Office space has already been allotted and approval has been sought from the competent authority for purchase of equipments. An Integrated Anti Human Trafficking Unit has been set up at women Police Station in the year 2007 as part of MHA-UNODC project. Also a Notification was issued in the year 2007 by the Govt. vide No. 2/43/2004-HD(G), appointing In charges of Police Stations as special Police Officer for dealing with offences under ITP Act. Nodal Officer from UP informed that Hindi translation of SOP on Investigation on Crime or Persons Trafficked for Commercial Sexual Exploitation has been completed and sent to MHA for further necessary action. Email account of Nodal officer has been registered and is as gmailID-ahtu-upcbcid@gmail.com. Funds amounting Rs 9096000/ released by MHA has been received and process is under way to establish 12 IAHTUs. State has established All Women Police Stations in all district Head quarters. As regards IGNOU course, UP Nodal Officer informed that it was circulated to all Districts. Information from 5 Districts have been received and no officer/official is interested in enrolling in IGNOU course. He suggested that this course may be made free of cost to encourage officials to enroll in the course. Nodal Officer from Meghalaya informed that funds have been received for establishment of AHTUs in two districts. IGNOU course has been circulated to all districts. Women Police Stations have been notified in All District Headquarters in the State. He also informed of close coordination with Social Welfare Department and NGOs working the state including Childline Foundation.

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 ADGP , Tamilnadu, Mrs Archana Ramasundaram stated that the Tamil Nadu Police Academy is organizing regular quarterly training on human trafficking to the police personnel of all the ranks. She also stated Funds released by MHA has been received and process is on for procurement. She also informed that 32 nominations have been received for Chennai TOT. She suggested that BPR&D support staff should come well in advance for smooth conduct of TOTs. Representative of Karnataka, informed that funds have been received to set up 5 AHTUs and the process is on to establish AHTUs. As regards IGNOU Course, she informed that e-mail and fax message was sent to the nodal officers in the Districts and Commissionarates to encourage enrolment of police personnel who are actively participating in Anti Human Trafficking activities. Representative of Jharkhand informed that funds have been received and suggested that due to language problem, IGNOU course should also be available in Hindi so that more and more personnel can be enrolled. The representatives from the States/UTs of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Delhi, Mizoram, Orissa, Punjab, Chandigarh and Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands also briefed about the steps taken/being taken by the State Governments/UTs in combating trafficking in human beings. 6. JS (CS), in his concluding remark requested all the state/ UT representatives to work hard in combating human trafficking. He also thanked the participants for sending the detailed reports of the good work done by the States in the area. 7. The meeting ended with thanks to the chair.

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