“Church is the forefront in protecting the rights of the children/people especially from getting trafficked”, shared by the Archbishop of Guwahati Archdiocese and Chairman of Northeast Diocesan Social Service Society, Most Rev. John Moolachira. He was speaking at the official programme launch of Combating Human Trafficking in Assam & Arunachal Pradesh on 22 March 2019 at Don Bosco Institute, Joypur Kharghuli Guwahati.

Archbishop J.Moolachira gave the glimpses of rampant growth in child abuse and child trafficking cases in Northeast India, especially of Assam state. He cited the 2015 data, released by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) that Assam has emerged as the trafficking hub of the country. With 1494 cases, the state accounts for 22% of the total reported cases of trafficking across India. Assam also has the highest number of child trafficking—1317 cases, which account for 38% of the national figure. He said human slavery needs diverse strategic component and build webs for better collaboration with various departments and law enforcement units within and outside the state and country. We need to liberate and restore human dignity to the victims of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

“We have begun Anti Human Trafficking program with 75 villages in 7 districts of Arunachal and Assam in October 2018 and we will continue to intervene till we reduce the issue of human trafficking. The church is present in every corner of Northeast, thus with this huge network of Churches and human strength we need to play a big role in reducing Human trafficking”, shared Fr. Jolly, Assistant Director, Caritas India. He also shared the Caritas India perspective at the National level especially in addressing Human trafficking and unsafe migration.

Fr. Varghese, Director of NEDSSS also present as guest of honor said, “Human trafficking is the third organized crime in Assam, therefore we have a vital role to play in eradicating the trafficking issue”.

Mr. Manna Biswas, the Child Protection Officer of UNICEF said, “Govt of Assam is very seriously working in reducing human trafficking as Assam is both the source and destination. We need to coordinate with govt effort. We also need to understand the legal implication in addressing the issue. The church can play a massive role in this regard and UNICEF will be happy to collaborate in this venture”.

All the implementing partners like Seva Kendra Silchar, Seva Kendra Dibrugarh, Purvanchal Pragati Samaj, NEDAN Foundation and Centre for Development Initiatives were present for the launch. The event is also witnessed by 10 NGOs, 15 local institutions, village representatives from project villages and local students.