To empower law enforcement agencies in tackling cyber crimes, Punjab Police’s Cyber Crime Division, in collaboration with NGO Prajwala, organized a comprehensive one-day workshop on Cyber-Enabled Human Trafficking on Tuesday. Held at the office of the Punjab State Cyber Crime Division in Mohali, the workshop aimed to equip police officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to combat the evolving threat.

Tthe workshop received enthusiastic participation from 50 officials working in Cyber Crime Units of Punjab, with an additional 100 Punjab Police officials joining the session via video conference.

NGO Prajwala, renowned for its anti-trafficking efforts and instrumental in rescuing over 27,500 women and girls from sex slavery in the past 27 years, provided invaluable insights during the workshop.

The session commenced with an overview of human trafficking in India and an exploration of Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), shedding light on the legal framework surrounding the issue. Participants were then briefed on the exploitation of various technologies by traffickers to recruit and exploit victims.

Demonstrations of platforms and applications utilized by law enforcement agencies to combat Cyber Crime and Cyber-Enabled Human Trafficking were conducted, offering practical insights into investigation techniques. The workshop also featured case studies showcasing instances where technology was employed to traffic victims, alongside international case studies related to Cyber-Enabled Human Trafficking.

A Focus Group Discussion facilitated active engagement among participants, particularly those already immersed in tackling cyber crimes at the State Cyber Crime Division.

The state’s Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Cyber Crime, V Neeraja emphasized the Punjab Police’s unwavering commitment to address cyber crimes against women and children. Neeraja highlighted the establishment of a Cyber Patrolling Unit to monitor cyber crimes, particularly those targeting vulnerable groups. She encouraged the public to report such crimes anonymously through the National Cyber Crime Portal (NCRP) at www.cybercrime.gov.in.

“State Cyber Crime Division will also be enhancing their capacity by setting up Cyber Patrolling Unit to monitor crimes in the cyberspace, especially against women and children…Cyber Crime and Technical Investigation Units operational in districts are already dealing with Cyber Crime, including Cyber Tiplines,” she added.

Throughout the workshop, attendees delved into case studies and explored legal practices prevalent in other countries, equipping them with enhanced capabilities to track human trafficking in cyberspace.