The Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police, in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, organized a Union Territory-level conference on Anti-Human Trafficking at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
The conference brought together senior police officials, legal experts, government representatives, NGOs, and other stakeholders to discuss strategies, challenges, and collaborative approaches to counter human trafficking in the region.
Special DG Coordination PHQ, S.J.M. Gillani, the chief guest at the event, highlighted the deep human cost of trafficking — broken families, trauma, and lifelong scars — and stressed that the issue demands not only strong enforcement but also empathy and rehabilitation. He noted that traffickers often exploit the same networks used for arms and drug smuggling, complicating enforcement efforts.
"Conviction rates are still low, reflecting global challenges like procedural delays, weak enforcement, and corruption," he said, while emphasizing that prevention must be prioritized, especially in border and conflict areas. He also underlined the importance of education, economic security, and awareness in reducing vulnerability to trafficking.
Gillani called for the use of technology, surveillance, and data-driven interventions to strengthen the fight, stating, “Laws alone are not enough — it’s the spirit of enforcement and empathy of our officers that make the difference.”
He praised the Crime Branch, MHA, and participating NGOs for their efforts and reaffirmed alignment with India’s broader anti-trafficking initiatives such as the Trafficking in Persons Bill, AHTUs, and Operation Muskan.
ADGP & Director Fire & Emergency Services, Alok Kumar, linked human trafficking with the global issue of black money and stressed the need for continuous awareness through social media, community engagement, and deterrence via exemplary punishment.
Ravi Kant, Convenor of Just Rights for Children, pointed out that traffickers exploit enforcement gaps. He advocated for stronger inter-agency collaboration and victim protection, saying, “Trafficking is highly organized, but so too must be our response.”
Rajesh Mani, a renowned trainer and resource person on human trafficking, shared insights on prevention, victim support, and best practices, calling for a multi-agency approach to combat the organized nature of the crime.
Earlier, IGP Crime Sujit Kumar, in his welcome address, urged youth to engage with the issue, stressing the importance of collective efforts in fighting this heinous crime.
The conference served as a significant step toward building a comprehensive and coordinated response to human trafficking in Jammu & Kashmir.