New Delhi, Aug 05, 2022, By Special Correspondent
New Delhi, Aug 5: To strengthen action against human trafficking in railways, over 750 Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) have been set up by the RPF over the Indian Railways.
These AHTUs coordinate with AHTUs of Police and Central Armed Police Forces -- BSF and SSB-- functioning at district level/state levels/International Borders and with Intelligence Units, NGOs and other stakeholders and take effective action on traffickers as per law, Rajya Sabha was informed on Friday.
The RPF has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Association of Voluntary Action (AVA) also known as Bachpan Bachao Andolan (an NGO), which is assisting in training and capacity building of RPF, GRP and other railway staff on all child protection issues and in implementation of sensitisation and awareness campaigns, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a written reply.
Besides, AVA shares intelligence information pertaining to suspected traffickers and their activities with RPF to conduct raids and help in rescue of trafficked children, he said.
Further, a pan India Drive ‘Operation AAHT’ is undertaken by RPF to take effective action in cases of Human Trafficking through railways.
During the current year (up to June), 150 children being trafficked through railway system have been rescued by RPF from the clutches of traffickers under ‘Operation AAHT’.
The Railways in coordination with GRP/District Police have taken various steps to prevent Human Trafficking through trains and railway premises, an official release, quoting the railway minister, said.
Train escorting parties and staff deployed in mass contact areas have been sensitised and trained to identify the potential victims of trafficking and immediate action taken to rescue them.
To supplement the efforts of state police, cyber cells of RPF have been instructed for cyber patrolling of the web/social media to look for digital footprints/traces of human trafficking in the internet and to cull out the clues helpful in taking action against Human Trafficking through railways.
The subject of “Human Trafficking” has been included in all training courses conducted in RPF Training Centres. Also, from time to time special seminars are organised to sensitise RPF personnel and train them in identification of victims and traffickers.
Periodic review meetings are held with Nodal Officers of Anti Human Trafficking Units and other agencies concerned to review the efforts undertaken to combat human trafficking.
Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras provided in 5,882 coaches and 861 railway stations for enhanced security of passengers, the minister added.