Jamshedpur: Police officers, who are responsible for handling child protection affairs, are apparently overburdened with criminal cases and don't have the time to properly tackle child trafficking cases.

Delhi-based NGO Empower People organised a workshop on child trafficking at East Singhbhum SSP's office in Bistupur on Tuesday during which its director Shafique Khan interacted with police officers on handling child trafficking cases.

"We interacted with child welfare police officers of all the 34 thanas in the district during the daylong workshop. Most of the cops admitted that they found it difficult to look into child trafficking cases as they were overburdened with routine crime and other incidents," said Shafique Khan.

The NGO will soon submit a report to the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) to ensure police gave more time to such sensitive cases. A helpline number 01130010211 was also released on the occasion to provide technical support to police officers.

After East Singhbhum, the NGO will hold similar sessions with police in Ranchi, Latehar, Palamau, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Giridih and Deogarh. "We will soon interact with police officers of all the eight districts and later submit our reports to the chairman of SCPCR. We would like to request the state government to ensure child welfare cases are given the due attention," said Khan.