Women Trafficking

A total of 3991, 3029 and 2848 cases were reported in the country in 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively, under various crime heads relating to human trafficking such as Procuration of Minor Girls (Sec 366-A Indian Penal Code (IPC)), Importation of Girls (Sec 366-B IPC), Selling of Girls for Prostitution (Sec 373 IPC) and Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. The Minister of Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath placed this data in response to a question in Rajya Sabha today. The Minister cited the National Crime Records Bureau for this information.

The Minister said as per the information received from NCRB, total of 236 cases were reported and 616 persons were arrested under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act in Assam during the 10 year period from 2000 to 2009.
The Minister informed the House that the Government is taking measures to combat trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in the country. The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 supplemented by the Indian Penal Code, prohibits trafficking in human beings, including children and lays down penalties for it. A comprehensive Advisory on Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking in India has been issued on 09.09.2009 by the Government of India to all States/Union Territories. Further, the Ministry has been implementing the ‘Ujjawala' Scheme, under which financial assistance is being provided for prevention of trafficking and for rescue, rehabilitation and re-integration of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. Under the ‘Ujjawala’ Scheme, 21 projects have been sanctioned in the North Eastern States of Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. Of these, 19 projects are, inter alia, being provided financial assistance for prevention of trafficking which includes holding sensitisation and awareness generation workshops and preparing awareness generation material.
The Minister Smt. Tirath stated that Rescue is undertaken by the Non -Government Organisations and Anti- Human Trafficking Units. Data on number of girls rescued is not centrally maintained. 76 Rehabilitation Homes which can accommodate upto 3800 beneficiaries have been sanctioned under the ‘Ujjawala’ Scheme in the country. This includes 12 Rehabilitation Homes in the North Eastern States of Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland taken together.

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