Imphal, December 11 2008: In most cases of trafficking of women and children, it has been said that their relatives, neighbours, acquaintances and religious leaders are involved.

A motor cycle rally cum street corner meetings was organised jointly today by the District Women Committees of the United NGOs Mission, Manipur in association with Women Action for Development and other community based organisations in the two districts as part of the ongoing International Fortnight observance against violence on women and children.

Those who spoke at the street corner meetings high-lighted the fact relatives, neighbours, acquaintances and religious leaders are involved in most cases of trafficking of women and children.

Most of the victims of trafficking are also illiterate and are from poor family background or broken families.

They pointed out that trafficking is being carried out to force women and children to flesh trade, to work in bars, to use them as slavelabourers or as go-between in smuggling of illegal substances like drugs and weapons, to remove their body organs for sale, etc.

Demands were also raised for adopting a policy on rehabilitation of the victims of trafficking as well as taking up necessary measures by the Government and its agencies to stop human trafficking.

The motor cycle rally cum street corner meeting campaign was flagged off by SP of Imphal East District Th Radheshyam from Palace Compound in the morning.

From Palace Compound, the rally passed through various places of Imphal East and Imphal West District like Moirangkhom, Singjamei, Kakwa, Canchipur, Maibam Leikai, Pishum, Kwakeithel, Tera Bazar, Naoremthong, RIMS Road, Lamlong, Telipati, Hatta, New Checkon, Porompat, Kongba, etc.

All along the route of the rally, a large number of people stood on either side of the road encouraging the rallyists and their cause.

As the rally approached Khurai Lamlong , one of the women vendors of the market observed that all should stand up as one against the crimes and violence on women and children.

While informing that one of her grandsons has fallen victim to the recent spate of child abduction by unidentified gunmen, she said her grandson has not been released by the abductors despite the repeated assurance given.

'It has been long since I have not seen the sweet and innocent face of my grandson', she said wishfully.

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