By IANS,
New Delhi: Trafficking of children, including minor girls, saw a rise in India’s northeastern region over the period of 2008-09, Minister of state for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath informed the Rajya Sabha Monday.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), six such cases were reported in the region until September this year.
“As per the NCRB data, the number of cases registered under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, in the northeastern region increased from 32 in 2008 to 43 in 2009,” Tirath said.
As per the data, Assam saw the biggest rise, from 27 cases in 2008 to 37 cases in 2009.
“Funds have been released for establishing 18 anti-human trafficking units (ATHUs) in the northeastern states,” she said.
“The ministry is implementing the ‘Ujjawala’ scheme under which financial assistance is provided for prevention of trafficking and rescue and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation,” Tirath said.
Under the Ujjawala scheme 21 projects have been sanctioned in the northeastern states, she added.