Imphal, Mar 24 : Concerned over the increasing child trafficking cases in the state of Manipur recently, Hasina Kharbih, team leader, Impulse-an NGO Network, the Nodal Agency in the North East appealed to the state government to lend a helping hand to the Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working for the welfare of the children by taking up preventive measures.
She stated this in a press conference held Tuesday at Manipur Press Club, Imphal.
The press conference was held mainly to focus on the recent child trafficking cases from the state.
It may be recalled that 25 children were reportedly trafficked in June last and 54 boys in January 2010 from Manipur, were trafficked to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, by some religious institutions in the pretext of providing them good education.
Addressing the function, Hasina Kharbih maintained that the government must take an active role in curbing the increasing child trafficking case in the state of Manipur.
The child traffickers are making huge money in the name of religious institutions through foreign donors, added Hasina Kharbih.
Asserting that the NGOs need the assistance of government in curbing the child trafficking case, she stated that the NGOs alone cannot stop the child trafficking case though the NGOs are working hard to stop child trafficking.
She stated that the parents send their children with the hope that their children might be getting proper food and education in the institution.
However, the children are found to be either made to work forcefully or used for other purposes.
She also disclosed that some parents send their children deliberately which was denied by some of the parents, added Hasina.
Stating that such cases are increasing owing to the uneducated parents who easily become the victims of the traffickers, she also said that the government should take initiatives in holding seminars to educate the parents.
Expressing concern on the children being trafficked mostly in the southern states of the country, she asserted that there is a need to explore the fact.
She further stated must be investigated properly.
Government of Manipur should invite National Commission for Child Right Protection in the state to stop child trafficking, stated Hasina.
She also added that the state government should convene meeting with the NGOs of the state who are working to curb child trafficking and therefore a committee must be formed as the role of law enforcing agency is also required in curbing such cases.
The government must take the matter of increasing child trafficking seriously, added Hasina Kharbih.