ITANAGAR, May 14: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) has expressed shock and anguish over the recent busting of the sensational case of inter-state sex trafficking of minors.
“It is shameful to know that our own women and learned persons are involved in the case,” the Women’s Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.
While appreciating the Itanagar Police for their commendable effort to apprehend the involved persons and rescuing the minors, the Commission made a fervent request to the state government to take stern action against the culprits involved.
The APSCW further appealed to the concerned authorities to keep strict vigil on hotels, parlours or any suspicious areas in and around the twin capital city ‘so that no minor or other victims have to face such incidents in the future’.
While pointing out that human trafficking is prohibited under the Constitution of India under Article 23 (1), the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act, 2012, the Apatani Women Association Ziro (AWAZ) said that the case should be dealt with utmost priority and sensitivity. “The recuperation and rehabilitation of the victims should be administered innocuously in a safe environment,” it emphasized.
For the benefit of victims of such unfortunate mishaps, AWAZ urged the need to create a dedicated special cell to register the complaints of the victims with 24x7 helpline number and assistance, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy centre, legal aid and counseling centre, and conducting gender sensitization programmes at regular intervals.
Stating that the said infrastructure and facilities can be suitably accommodated at the newly inaugurated AWAZ office near the Lower Subansiri district secretariat, AWAZ general secretary Leegang Ania said the Association would soon approach the local legislator and the district administration to facilitate the creation of the mentioned facilities which would go a long way in building a safer place for women in the district. (With inputs from DIPRO)