ITANAGAR, 7 Sep: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), following the recent rescue of 32 children in a child trafficking case in Namsai, has urged the police to conduct a deep, comprehensive and evidence-based investigation to completely dismantle the entire trafficking network and ensure legal action in accordance with the law against all persons involved.
Commending the Namsai police and the Namsai Child Welfare Committee [CWC], for their prompt action in ensuring the rescue of the children, APSCPCR Chairperson Ratan Anya said that the entire network behind the trafficking and exploitation of children must be identified and investigated thoroughly.
"Rescue is important, but it is equally important to identify the entire network behind the trafficking, investigate every link and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice," she said.
Anya said also that "the role of parents and guardians must be examined wherever there is evidence that a child was knowingly handed over, sent away, or placed with any person for employment or other purposes in circumstances that exposed the child to trafficking or exploitation."
"Where investigation establishes criminal involvement or culpability, appropriate legal action should be initiated in accordance with law," she said.
The commission's chairperson further urged the investigating authorities to examine whether any of the rescued children were subjected to any other form of abuse, coercion, exploitation or sexual exploitation, and called for appropriate action under the relevant provisions of the law if any such offence is disclosed during investigation.
Anya stated that the recent rescue of children once again highlights the seriousness of child trafficking as a major child-rights concern in Arunachal.
"Child trafficking is one of the gravest forms of violation of child rights. Children cannot be treated as commodities for labour, employment or any form of exploitation," she said, and emphasised the need for strict enforcement of law and effective prosecution to create a strong deterrent against organised trafficking and exploitation of children.
"There must be accountability. Every person who is found, on the basis of investigation and evidence, to have knowingly trafficked, facilitated, transported, harboured, employed or exploited a child must face the consequences of law," Anya said.
She said that strong enforcement and prosecution are essential to ensure that such organised crimes against children do not continue with impunity.
The APSCPCR reiterated that child trafficking cannot be addressed merely as an isolated law-and-order issue, and that it requires a sustained and coordinated response, involving the police, CWCs, District Child Protection Units, Labour and Education Departments, district administrations and other agencies concerned.
The commission urged the police and the CWC to continue close monitoring of the rescued children and ensure their care, counselling, rehabilitation and restoration in accordance with the juvenile justice framework, so that no rescued child is again exposed to circumstances of exploitation.
Stating that it will continue to monitor the progress of the matter, the APSCPCR said it expects the investigation to proceed to its logical conclusion, with all persons found responsible dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
