Imphal, June 21 (EMN): A workshop for journalists on human trafficking, sexual abuse and child rights issues was held under the aegis of FXB India Suraksha in collaboration with the Manipur Hill Journalists’ Union (MHJU) at Tribal Research Institute, Imphal on Wednesday. FXB India Suraksha is an Indian non-governmental, non-profit organization providing integrated development assistance to disadvantaged children, women and communities in rural and urban India to reduce their vulnerabilities in respect of poverty, health, education and protection.
Journalists mostly the members of the MHJU attended the workshop wherein legal and child rights experts apart from the government officials made different forms of presentations so that the journalists can properly report issues of human trafficking in future.
In his key note address, FXB India Suraksha’s Program Officer (North East Region) Khoi Dinesh said that around 4000 children from North East states went missing annually while many were unreported.
Informing that around 273 cases of human trafficking were reported in the state and 62 of them are below 12 years of age, Dinesh said hill districts are more vulnerable in the state of Manipur. He also expressed the need to adopt new legal system of the country instead of customary laws in the best interest of the children.
Speaking on new legal systems, Chairperson of the child welfare committee Imphal West district and advocate Th Rajkishore appealed to cooperate in implementing the protection of children from sexual offence (POCSO) Act 2012 in case of criminal acts.
Speaking on the role of government in combating human trafficking Deputy Director social welfare department Binobala Nongmeikapam informed that 74 rape victims were provided financial assistance since 2011-2012 till 2016-2017 in Manipur while 99 children including 22 from Senapati, 30 from Ukhrul and 40 from Churachandpur were sent home.
