Seminar Held on Human Trafficking at Imphal on September 18 2010
- North East Support Centre & Helpline -

Imphal, September 20, 2010

North East Support Centre & Helpline
A Wing of All India Christian Council's Anti-Human Trafficking and
Racial Discrimination Unit
Palam Vihar, Dwarka, New Delhi 110075.
Tel 011-25084561, Email [email protected], www.nehelpline.net

For Immediate Release
Seminar Held on Human Trafficking
Delegation Met Chief Secretary and Inspector General Police of Manipur

Imphal, September 20, 2010

All India Christian Council and North East Support Centre & Helpline conducted one-day seminar on human trafficking and freedom of religion. Delegation of All India Christian Council and North East Support Centre & Helpline met Manipur Chief Secretary Mr. D S Poonia and Inspector General Police Mr Christopher Dongel.

Over 250 delegations representing church leaders, civil societies, scholars and social workers and human rights activities from different communities attended the seminar on September 18 at Trulock Theological Seminary, Imphal, Manipur.

Dr. John Dayal – member of National Integration Council and Secretary General of All India Christian Council took major sessions on the roles of civil societies and churches in Manipur in tackling the issues of human trafficking the state is facing in last few years.

Rev. Madhu Chandra – Founder and Spokes Person of North East Support Centre & Helpline and Public Relation Secretary of All India Christian Council gave a brief report on how North East Support Centre & Helpline has been tackling the racial/gender-based violence face by the people from Manipur and other North Eastern states. He also mentioned how NE Helpline could rescue and bring back five Naga girls from Malaysia in 2008 trafficked through local known agent with false promise of jobs.

Dr. John Dayal says, "Human trafficking is the biggest organised crimes in world next to drug and arm trafficking. It is a 40 billion US dollar profit business annually. In India, human trafficking agencies have targeted the Dalits and tribals, particularly the victims of communal violence of Kandhmal in Orissa and Manipur."

Dr. John Dayal and Rev. Madhu Chandra also visited Chingmeirong Kabui village where village authorities have attacked a Christian family and church on December 14, 2008. Mr. Kapun Panmei and his family were fined with Rs 7000 and large size of pig for converting to Christianity. According to unconstitutional village rule passed by the authority, any member or the family should leave the village after paying the penalty. When Mr. Kapun and his family did not leave the village, the village authorities led a mob of 300 arm people, attacked, and destroyed the house of the family and church building constructed in private property in the same village.

Delegate met Inspector General Police Mr. Christopher Dongel to take up the matter which is almost forgotten by the government. Latter delegation also met Mr D S Poonia, Chief Secretary of Manipur to look into the matter and render judgment to the case and justice to the victims.

North East Support Centre & Helpline has offered help to Manipur Government in tackling the issue of human trafficking that the state is facing. North East support Centre & Helpline and All India Christian Council has setup shelter homes at Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Rev. Madhu Chandra says, "In the wake of Commonwealth Game coming up at National Capital, there has been reported of trafficking mafias have targeted North East girls. We appeal all those North East young girls and boys studying and working in Delhi and NCR should take extra precaution." "In most cases, known persons are involved in trafficking boys and girls in Manipur, therefore North East Support Centre & Helpline appeals all public of Manipur to be careful of any person offering easy jobs for boys and girls and free education for children."

North East Support Centre & Helpline (www.nehelpline.net) is combined initiative of various human rights activists, social workers, students, journalists and lawyers seeking to prevent harassment and abuses meted out to women, North East People and tribal communities of different states.

Released by
Angam H.
Media In-charge