SENIOR POLICE OFFICER SAYS SUFFICIENT COMPENSATION BE PAID TO THE VICTIMS OF TRAFFICKING

PANJIM: A senior police officer has mooted that substantial amount of compensation should be paid to victims of trafficking, so that they do not go back to the same ‘profession’.  Speaking at the inaugural function of a two-day seminar on anti-human trafficking, Inspector General of Police (Crime Branch-Andhra Pradesh) S Umapati, said that atleast Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 be paid per victim of human trafficking to ensure a proper rehabilitation process.

Umapati said that the Andhra Pradesh government pays Rs 10,000 to the rescued children and women victims of trafficking.  The IPS officer quoted a national survey that an estimate of 30 lakh women and children are trafficked for various forms of exploitation, of which children comprise nearly 25 percent.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the decline in conviction rate.  “Many times police have to go beyond the call of duty to catch these people (traffickers) and convict them. In Andhra Pradesh, we could secure conviction of the traffickers to 7-10 years imprisonment because the judges were sensitised,” he said.

He said that about 22 crores income is generated from trafficking everyday.

Goa State Commission for Women (GSCW) in association with the International Organisation for Migration – Hyderabad has hosted a two day seminar on ‘Public Private Partnership to combat human trafficking and prevention through skill building and employment opportunities.’

Speaking on the occasion, GSCW chairperson Ezilda Sapeco said that poverty is the main cause of trafficking.

She remarked that despite various measures taken by governments the benefits of economic development have not trickled down to the marginalised sections of the society.  “The poverty and the living conditions make children and women belonging to the poor sections of the society highly vulnerable to human trafficking,” Sapeco added.

Goa has witnessed quite a number of human trafficking cases, which has been evident with series of raids by Goa police on massage parlours and other tourist locations. Most of these victims are brought from other states, especially neighbouring Karnataka and north-eastern states, to Goa for this purpose.

Director Women and Child Development Sanjiv Gadkar said that six victims are housed in the protective home at Merces and they are participating in the rehabilitation process.