Punjab Govt has failed to curb human trafficking: NAPA

The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed concerns over the alarming rise in human trafficking problem in Punjab. 

NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal said despite repeated warnings and the tragic loss of lives, the government had failed to take effective action to address the issue.

He stressed NAPA had been sounding the alarm about illegal immigration since 1995, when approximately 300 young men from Punjab tragically drowned in the Malta Sea. Decades later, the situation has not improved. He said around 21 young men from Punjab had gone missing in recent years while attempting to cross the Mexico-US border.

Chahal said the government's responses were too little, too late, and remained largely ineffective. He pointed out that Punjab's two anti-human trafficking laws passed in 2010 and amended in 2012 had done little to curb illegal immigration.

“Punjab has become the headquarters of human trafficking, and yet, no concrete actions have been taken to dismantle the network,” said Chahal, adding, “the government must take immediate steps to strengthen enforcement, increase awareness, and collaborate with international agencies to put an end to this crisis.”

NAPA called on the Punjab Government to take decisive and immediate action to shut down the trafficking networks and protect the lives of young Punjabis who continue to fall victim to this dangerous trade.