During a consultation meet on human trafficking, experts working on child welfare pointed out that internet globalisation is growing and the trend of online exploitation is also increasing which is eventually leading to human trafficking.
The experts added that it is not only poverty that is leading to human trafficking or child trafficking.
The one-day consultation meet on human trafficking was held on Saturday at Hotel Imphal, organised by New Life Foundation.
Social Welfare Department programme officer Mala Lisham, as a resource person, spoke on the present situation of human trafficking scenario in Manipur and said that concepts of free education outside the state or country relates to human trafficking but this needs to be rectified. Perhaps, human trafficking and child trafficking needs to be identified, she said.
Sharing her experience on a case of children being sent to Nashik in the name of free education, she said that the challenges lie in parents or guardians permitting those agencies to take their children.
Among them, some are from relief camps, she mentioned. But nothing has taken up in connection with that incident, she said, adding that it is because there is no definition of child trafficking.
She also shared that there are many job placement agencies through which many are working as domestic helpers in foreign countries. But, it is surprising that there are no agencies in Manipur but outside Manipur. Those agencies in the state should register under Immigration Act, she said.
Stating that many from the state are working in foreign countries, she expressed concerns of illegal job placement agencies in the state.
Mala Lisham also mentioned about recruitment of children by armed outfits stating that there are reports of children taking up arms and getting injured in sensitive areas.
Founder and chairperson of Impulse NGO Network, Shillong, Hasina Kharbhih said that human trafficking is not only caused by poverty but that even middle class people are trapped in such businesses.
Exploitative situations of the state and in search for better jobs are also factors, she said.
All child related acts and functionaries should work together within existing law, she said adding that while dealing with trafficking, any law cannot be neglected.
Social Welfare director Ng Uttam said that the nature of trafficking are various. In the name of free education children are sent outside the state and there are incidents of forced conversion of religion. It is happening in every religion, he said. However, in the case of Manipur, the case of trafficking came out too late, he added.
Though it is very difficult to discuss whether sending children to school where there is forced conversion of religion is connected to trafficking or not, it needs to be discussed, the director said.
Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) Keisam Pradipkumar said that the specific position of Manipur due to ongoing conflict cannot be denied and it has displaced more than 20,000 children.
There is a push factor of trafficking and a pull factor of trafficking in displacement, he said.
He also emphasised on cyber safety measures that can prevent trafficking but not here in the state.
The consultation was attended by Manipur State Commission for Women chairperson Salam Ulka Devi; manager of Youths Engagement Kailash Satyarthi Foundation, Govind Khanal.
Govind Khanal spoke on the role of government and CSOs to combat Anti Human Trafficking and its possible measures.
