Srinagar, Oct 19 : On the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Headquarters J&K, Crime Branch J&K organised a one-day UT-level conference on Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) at Tagore Hall, Srinagar on Monday.
The conference aimed at strengthening the institutional response to human trafficking, enhancing inter-agency coordination and promoting a victim-centric approach to investigation, rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration.
The conference was inaugurated by IGP Crime J&K Sarah Rizvi-IPS, with CEO JK4C Sheikh Junaid Mehmood-IPS as Guest of Honour. It witnessed participation of DIG, all SSPs of Crime Branch J&K, members of judiciary and Social Welfare Department including CDPOs, Police nodal officers of AHTUs across J&K, Gazetted Officers from Crime Branch, officers from paramilitary forces, representatives of NGOs and students from Women’s College M.A Road, Women’s College Nawakadal and Police Public School Bemina.
In her keynote address, IGP Crime Sarah Rizvi underscored the need for a comprehensive, coordinated and victim-centric response to human trafficking. She said effectiveness of anti-trafficking interventions must be measured not merely by rescue or registration of cases, but by safety, dignity, access to justice, rehabilitation and sustainable reintegration of victims. She also highlighted emerging challenges like cyber-enabled exploitation and cyber slavery and stressed on strengthening institutional capacities.
The technical sessions featured expert resource persons. Dr. Aneeda Jan, Assistant Professor (Law), University of Kashmir, spoke on “Human Trafficking: Legal Framework, Emerging Trends and Challenges”, Dr. Savita Nayar, Professor Jammu University on “SOP on Missing Persons and Criminal Law and Judicial Intervention with regard to Human Trafficking in India”, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Khan, Programme Manager ICPS, Social Welfare Department on “Victim-Centric Approach: Identification, Rescue, Rehabilitation and Reintegration” and SSP JK4C Kamal Pal Singh Malhotra-IPS on “Cyber Slavery”.
The conference provided a platform for police officers, judiciary, government departments, civil society and students to exchange experiences and deliberate on measures to strengthen prevention, detection and investigation of human trafficking cases.
Crime Branch J&K reiterated its commitment to strengthening institutional response through capacity-building, inter-agency coordination, technology-enabled investigation and a humane, victim-centric approach.(GNS)
