IT News
Moreh, Nov 26:
Moreh Battalion of HQ 26 Sect Assam Rifles under the aegis of IGAR (S) in collaboration with FXB India Suraksha organized a two days training program on Anti Human Trafficking and Child Protection Systems for the Border Management Cadre officials at Moreh Battalion, Assam rifle, Manipur on 24th and 25th November, 2020. The two days training programme was a part of the 15 days training of the officials on Border guarding. Considering the ongoing pandemic situation and the state imposed Standard Operating Procedures, 18 selected Assam Rifles’ officials participated during the programme. The main objective of the programme was to train the officials of the Paramilitary force on strengthening vigilance as well as intervention mechanisms on combating human trafficking across Border States of North-East.
This was the 4th batch undergoing such kind of training. A similar training was organized in March 2020 wherein over 80 officials participated. Human trafficking and child protection laws have been considered as important topics by the Assam Rifles and have therefore included the same in their training syllabus.
Mr. Sunil Meitei, Project Officer, Imphal and Mr. A Wungreiso Shangh, Project Officer, Ukhrul, FXB India Suraksha were the resource persons.
During the two day programme, Human trafficking: concept of source, transit and destination, modus operandi of traffickers and the nexus of traffickers involved in the business were explained to the trainees. The officials were made aware of the difference between Migration and Smuggling of Migrants and its difference and inter linkages with Human Trafficking. The officials were explained about the vulnerability of the bordering states in North East and the role of Assam Rifles in Identification of victims and the procedures for handling such cases. The officials were also made aware of the provisions available under law, the structures and stakeholders adhered with responsibilities in addressing trafficking issues.
The year 2020 had been a very challenging for everyone and so as for the Assam Rifles. The pandemic situation had laid out new challenges and increasing vulnerabilities due to the socio-economic impact on people because of the lockdown. Hence, the training programme also focused on building new strategies for identification of vulnerable persons to be trafficked across borders in the name of migration.
Apart from it, training on different sections of the Indian Penal Code, Specials Acts such as Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act 2015, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1986 etc were also imparted.
Although the number of participants was less compared to previous times to maintain the required SOP related to COVID-19, these trainees have been given the responsibility to train their colleagues in their respective Battalions on the topics for effective implementation of the strategies on the ground.
Fondly called ‘Friends of the North East People’, the Assam Rifles is entrusted with the role of guarding and protecting citizens living in remote areas and especially borders. Realizing the importance of the issue of Human Trafficking and child protection in such a vulnerable border lines due to their geo-political, tribal unrest and sharing border to Myanmar, a trained force on handling cases of trafficking and child protection was need of the hour.
The programme was conducted as part of project Mukti-an Anti Trafficking initiative to combat human trafficking and child sexual abuse in Manipur implemented with the support of ECPAT Luxembourg since 2015 in the state of Manipur. It is the organization’s second phase in implementing the project in Manipur. Till now around 300 paramilitary officials has been trained under the project.
