Conduct joint drives to root out human traffickers, LG tells cops

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 15

Lt Governor Anil Baijal today directed the Delhi Police to conduct joint drives with Social Welfare Department to nab organised gangs involved in human trafficking and begging and explore the possibility of skill development in convergence with existing government schemes for rehabilitation of the children rescued from begging mafia.

 During a crime review meeting, Baijal told the police to strengthen Operation Milap and Pehchan – two commendable initiatives and crackdown on the organised gangs involved in human trafficking and begging. A sensitisation exercise for the vulnerable groups/areas/victims through pamphlets, video clips, etc., also must be taken up, he stressed.

The Lt Governor was informed by the Delhi Police that three-fold strategy for tackling trafficking in the city comprising prevention, protection and prosecution is underway which has resulted in a higher rate of rescue, rehabilitation and re-integration of the rescued women and children in the society with active co-ordination among all the stakeholders like Delhi Police, Department of Women and Child Development, NGOs, etc.

Under the Pehchan Scheme, 1.78 lakh photographs of missing children belonging to underprivileged families had been collected by the police to ensure faster investigation and their recovery. 

On this, the Lt Governor said the police must carry out regular visits to the affected families to develop a sense of security among the parents.

The Operation Milap of Delhi Police has helped the police to reunite missing children with their families.

Baijal suggested the use of social media for effective monitoring of illegal massage parlours, increased surveillance in redlight areas, railway stations and ISBTs and generating awareness among students in academic institutions through pamphlets, messages, etc.