North American Punjabi Association raises concern over human trafficking

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, March 12

US-based North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) raised serious concerns about illegal human trafficking from Punjab to the western countries. NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal while issuing a release here today said the well-oiled human trafficking network and business, involving the ferrying of hundreds or thousands of Punjabi’s to North America, was alive and kicking in Punjab.

Chahal said although Punjab Assembly passed two laws in 2010 and 2012 to stop illegal human trafficking from Punjab, due to lack of will power of our system these laws are meaningless in Punjab. Therefore this kind of illegal human smuggling business is flourishing in Punjab under the nose of our government.

He further said there should be a scrutiny of advertisements published by travel agents in India for jobs in foreign countries and such a scrutiny was essential to check whether the agent had a valid authorisation to advertise the employment opportunities or skills and whether these were still valid in that country. Such scrutiny should be undertaken by the protector of emigrants’ offices and police separately.

He said unscrupulous travel agents operating from the USA, New Delhi and different cities of Punjab are minting money from shady deals. Rampant violation of human rights of irregular migrants in transit and destination countries is a cause for concern and requires action on part of the transit and destination countries.

He further said: “There is a need to create a database which can be helpful in making assessments about irregular migration, a network of intermediaries, modus operandi, the profile of victims and other such aspects. Hundreds of youths from Punjab try to migrate to other countries, especially in the West, for better job avenues.”

“Many of them end up in the clutches of illegal immigration and travel agents, who charge them between Rs 20 to 50 lakh and dupe them by dumping them in other countries,” added Chahal.

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