Kotwali in Ranchi is one of the four police stations where the anti-trafficking unit has come up. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Jharkhand, grappling with rising number of trafficking cases, has acted on a CID order to set up special redress fora at several police stations.

The anti-human trafficking units, which will register and probe such cases, have come up at Kotwali police station in Ranchi and the Sadar police stations in Chaibasa, Palamau and Lohardaga. The move was taken after the Union home ministry issued a notification to the state, ordering formation of such special cells, a month ago.

Inspector-general, CID, Anurag Gupta said they selected the four police stations to double up as anti-human trafficking units as these districts were most vulnerable to the rampant crime.

“The four districts are major pockets of trafficking and need urgent intervention. All the selected police stations will address three aspects of trafficking — prevention, protection and prosecution,” he said.

Besides being equipped with police officers to probe complaints, the anti-trafficking cells will develop database on traffickers, network with all agencies concerned and address human trafficking in a holistic manner. The personnel posted at the cells will directly report to the district’s superintendent of police.

Each centre has been provided new register, office tables, one computer table, almirah for books and records, digital camera, one vehicle, one motorcycle, landline phone and desktop computer.

“The officer-in-charge at the cells will lodge an FIR and all data collected will be handed over to us month-wise. Thereafter, we will take action,” Gupta said.

Arvind Kumar Sinha, officer-in-charge of Kotwali police station near Shaheed Chowk, said they were ready to take up cases. “We have two women constables, one male constable and an assistant sub-inspector. They are on their toes to act promptly on receiving any complaint about trafficking,” he added.

According to Sinha, besides lodging FIRs against the accused, they are also supposed to monitor and maintain records. “From time to time, we will send the reports to the CID for further investigations. If we come across trafficking cases in rural pockets of Ranchi, we will refer them to police stations concerned and also help in rescue efforts,” he added.