UNODC is cosponsor of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - UNAIDS
Integrated Anti Human Traffickling Unit launched in West Bengal
Project S16 helps set up Integrated Anti Human Trafficking Unit in Kolkata, West Bengal (28 June 07)
The fight against human trafficking in India gains further momentum with the launch of Integrated Anti Human Trafficking Unit (IAHTU) at Kolkata by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal (WB).
28th June 2007 marks an important day in the history of Anti Human Trafficking movement in the state of WB. The Chief Minister, Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee visited the office of the Crime Investigation Department (CID), WB at Bhawani Bhaban and participated in a public function attended by more than hundred delegates including representatives of WB police, media, civil society, activists, academicians, lawyers, prosecutors and senior functionaries of the government of WB. The persons in the dais, who addressed the audience, in sequence, were:
Mr. Bhupinder Singh, Additional Director General Police, CID, WB
Dr. P M Nair, Project Coordinator, UNODC
Mr. Prasad Ranjan Roy, Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Home Department, Govt. of WB
Mr. Amit Kiran Deb, Chief Secretary, Govt. of WB
Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Hon'ble Chief Minister, WB
Mr. A B Vohra, Director General of Police, WB
The Chief Minister launched the IAHTU by handing over the keys of the vehicles to the Additional DG of Police, CID, West Bengal.
The IAHTU is an integrated and comprehensive
Action Unit where police will function in synergy with other stake holders, viz. other government departments and civil society members. The IAHTU will facilitate multi-stake holder integrated action in carrying out rescue of trafficked persons, apprehending offenders, preventing trafficking and will also act as a forum for attending to the issues of human trafficking from a holistic perspective.
What UNODC provides to each IAHTU
Tata Sumo Vectra Vehicles
3 Mobile Phones
Computer Systems
Consolidated amount for non-expendable items, including
Land line telephone connections
Stationery / Law books
Furniture
Food / clothes / medicines for the rescued victims
Contingency expenses
Who constitutes IAHTU
Police personnel
Members of other departments of Government
NGOs
Other members of civil society
The IAHTUs of WB will be coordinated and supervised by the CID of WB Police. It is worth mentioning here that the CID, WB has already set up a Nodal Training Cell with the support of UNODC. Moreover, regular training programmes are being carried out by the CID with the support of UNODC.
It may be mentioned here that similar AHTUs have already been launched in Andhra Pradesh and Goa, where the police agencies are making commendable impact in the field of Anti Human Trafficking.
