Bhubaneswar, April 12: The Odisha government has decided to open six more integrated anti-human trafficking units at vulnerable places in the state.
These units would focus on combat trafficking, kidnapping, forcible marriage, sexual abuse and exploitation of women and children.
At present, six units are functioning in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Balasore. A decision to this effect was taken at a state-level co-ordination committee meet chaired by chief secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik at secretariat last evening.
A special study will be conducted in high-incidence districts to track the source, route and destination places of illegal trafficking of girls and women. The study will be undertaken through independent agencies working in this aspect for designing a course of remedial actions. It has been decided to develop an integrated system of tracking the migration of rural labourers at gram panchayat level.
A household-wise database of girls and women moving out from their native places in any form for any work will be developed. Anganwadi workers and accredited social health workers will collect primary data through a standardised household format.
To rehabilitate the helpless, the Odisha government has also decided to work out a route chart for streamlining the victims through proper counselling as nature of their problem varies from person to person and place to place.
Special training would be given to the personnel engaged in these cells through the state judicial academy. One official in the rank of a sub-inspector will be engaged exclusive charge of the unit and assisted by other police personnel. NGO workers and social activists will also be involved in counselling and rehabilitation of victims.
A specific action plan would be developed for skill development, employment, income generation and social support to the victims to enable them to overcome the trauma and social stigma and lead a normal life in the mainstream.
Steps would be taken to strengthen monitoring centres to keep track of the data.
It has also been decided to integrate Swadhara and short-stay homes under one scheme of the Swadhara Griha. It will come to effect from financial year 2012-13.
At present, 46 Swadharas and 34 short-stay homes are functioning in the state.
“We have sent a proposal to the Centre to set up one unit of Swadhra Griha in each of 11 districts, two units in 14 districts and three such units in five districts,” said an official.
The districts recommended for five units of Swadhara Griha in Khurdha, Puri, Maturbhanj, Ganjam and Balasore. To check illegal trafficking, the Odisha government has made the office of the resident commissioner, Odisha, New Delhi as reference point for prevention of illegal trafficking which can be contacted through the toll free number — 011-24679201(extension-4003) 011-23792002.
