Patna, Nov. 20: Determined to stop flesh trade, police have decided to invoke Section 18 of the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act, 1956 against brothels and close them down.

The section empowers the police to submit proposals to sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) to issue an order for the closure and eviction of brothels in their jurisdiction. “The order issued by SDMs cannot be challenged either in the court of the district magistrate or the divisional commissioner or any other court,” inspector-general (weaker section) Arvind Pandey said.

The IG has also directed the superintendents of police (SPs) to initiate action against habitual offenders of human trafficking under the Crime Control Act. A person booked under the act is deprived of bail at least for a year.

The IG shot off letters last week to all the SPs, particularly of the districts identified as vulnerable to human trafficking, asking them to use Section 18 of the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act. “Most of the police personnel are not aware of this section,” he said.

The IG has asked the superintendents of police (SPs) to set up special cells at the district headquarters to prevent human trafficking, which has assumed alarming proportions in the past few years. Purnea, Kishanganj, Supaul, Araria, Katihar, Sitamarhi, East and West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Rohtas, Gaya and Madhubani have been identified as most vulnerable districts.

Police officials in the rank of sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors would man the cells. The letter asked the SPs to provide additional vehicles and police personnel for the cells.

“Trafficking is a serious offence, which needs to be dealt with sternly but cautiously,” the letter said. In some districts the cells have already been made operational.