Nodal cell to help tackle human trafficking

New Delhi, August 4:Faced with the danger of inviting sanctions from the US for failing to curb human trafficking, the Centre has set up a nodal cell in the Home Ministry to monitor the efforts to curb the illegal trade. The cell will be responsible for collection and analysis of data received from various sources including state governments on the trade. It will identify the causes, source and transit areas and suggest appropriate action. The Home Ministry has also written to states and Union Territories recommending the setting up of similar departments. They have been asked to send status reports so that a meeting of all nodal officers could be organised in September. India was placed in Tier 2 watch list by the US State Department for two consecutive years and sanctions would be imposed if it slips to Tier 3. A report released last June stated that more efforts were required by the Indian government to combat the crime.
Officials said the ministry would work closely with concerned ministries like Women and Child Development to tackle the menace and involve NGOs for rehabilitation.

rajeev.bhattacharyya@expressindia.com