335 children rescued from State, 87 from outside: CM

The State Government has rescued 335 children, most of them girls, from different parts of the State while also rescuing 87 children from outside of the State through two different operations launched this year.This was informed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while inaugurating a two-day long National Convention on ‘Inter-State Coordination on Anti-Trafficking of Girls and Women’ organised by the State Commission of Women (SCW), Odisha here on Friday. 

Patnaik claimed that the State police have taken proactive steps to rescue trafficked children, many of whom are girls. During January 2015, ‘Operation Smile’ was launched by the police, which resulted in the rescue of 335 children from different parts of the State, he said.During the month of July, Patnaik said, the police launched ‘Operation Muskan’ in which 87 children were rescued from 10 outside States by joint teams of the police and the Women and Child Development (W and CD) Department. Many of the rescued children, who were reported as missing, in fact, were trafficked, he said. 

He said the Government has initiated a number of steps to contain trafficking of girls and women. Most significant of such steps is the setting up of Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking Units (IAHTUs) in all the districts. “Odisha is one of the leading States in this direction,” he claimed.Women and Child Development Minister Usha Devi said her department has initiated appropriate steps for reuniting children with their parents and for their rehabilitation.

National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson lalitha Kumar Mangalam said all the Government and civil society agencies should work together to fight against the trafficking menace which is a shame for the humanity.   State Commission for Women Chairperson Dr lopamudra Baxipatra said taking advantage of poor socioeconomic conditions of people, some antisocial elements are indulging in trafficking of girls and women for a variety of purposes including domestic employment, sex trade and forced marriage.

Among others, Principal Secretary of Home Department Asit Tripathy, W and CD Secretary Visal Dev, SCW Chairpersons and Members of 16 States and social activists were present.