Set up bureau to tackle trafficking, MHA told

With India being put on the Tier-2 watchlist of countries in the US Trafficking in Persons TIPReport for the fourth consecutive year, a 8220;concerned8221; Women and Child Development Ministry MCWD has today written to the Ministry of Home Affairs MHA urging it to set up a separate bureau to tackle trafficking. A vast majority of human trafficking in India involves women and children.

The MWCD holds the Home Ministry, under which the police falls, responsible for India8217;s 8220;poor conviction and prosecution8221; record in trafficking cases. The report had also highlighted India8217;s failure to effectively tackle the problem of bonded labour.

8220;Unless there is a separate bureau on the lines of the Narcotics Control Bureau or the Arms Bureau, there cannot be focused attention and active monitoring and follow up of trafficking,8221; the letter states.

The MWCD will also be discussing with the states and the Law Ministry how best to improve the conviction rates of cases under the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act. While the MWCD clarifies that it is not 8220;absolving its responsibility8221;, it points out that primarily rescue and rehabilitation comes under its purview.