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 nonbailable 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 u se 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 nonreceipt 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 months 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. 1 st 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.

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