'Children vulnerable to trafficking for organ trade'- Rajiv Kumar Buragohain

Staff Correspondent

Dibrugarh: World Day against Trafficking in Persons, organized by Bal Sakha Assam at Monohari Tea Estate, Dibrugarh on July 27, concluded successfully. The event was supported by the British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata and an NGO 'ASHA" from Kolkata. The day was observed with a children's rally which started from No.9 line and after covering an area of 2 km, the rally later culminated at the auditorium of LP School, Monohari Tea Estate. A number of distinguished guests and local stakeholders graced the meeting chaired by Manager of the Monohari Tea Estate, R.Mishra.

Addressing the meeting, headteacher of the LP School, said that parents should not send their wards to work as domestic helpers. Elaborating the ills of such human trafficking Borgohain said that children were vulnerable to trafficking for organ trade. Health Assistant, D.Purty in his speech told the gathering that tea gardens were one of the vulnerable points for trafficking because of financial uncertainty, sizeable number of school dropouts and lack of adequate primary higher educational facility in tea estates.

Additional Secretary, ACMS, Amit Sawasi, while speaking on the occasion, emphasized on the parent's responsibility and duties towards their children and elaborated on Right to Education Act (RTEA) and its proper implementation. He further disclosed that child marriage was still going on in the tea garden areas which should be dealt with effectively. Jiten Karmakar of ACMS claimed that alcoholism was one of the major factors of human trafficking from tea gardens.

Highlighting various legal provisions like Child Labour Prohibition Acts, POCSO and other child-related laws, Sudipta Ghosh Biswas from Child Welfare Committee, Dibrugarh described the role of CWC, JJB, District Legal Services, which have been rendering legal aid and compensation to victims and needy people. She cautioned the parents not to force their underage children for marriage as it was a punishable act and disclosed that in any such case or child-related offences, one could contact Childline or dial toll free number 1098.

Also read: Intensify Fight Against Human Trafficking: Vice President of India