Churches in Northeast India and civil organizations shared a seven-point recommendation to combat trafficking in North East Region during the Round Table Conference on 10th June 2022. The conference brought Church leaders, Religious, Professionals, Scholars and representatives of NGOs and Civil society organisations from the region to facilitate learnings, reflections and common actions on the topic of human trafficking.

A Round Table Conference was organised by Caritas India and Northeast Diocesan Social Society (NEDSSS) who are actively working to combat human trafficking in North East India. The representatives from the esteemed organisations shared their experiences of responding to trafficking.

The conference was attended by 40 participants from five states of India. Among those present were Most. Rev. Lumen Monteiro, Bishop of Agartala (Tripura), as the Chief Guest, Rev. W.C.Khongwir, former moderator of Presbyterian Church of India (PCI) Fr.(Dr) Jose SVD Director of SANSKRITT, Guwahati, Ms. Chihanphi Luiram, (Program Associate, Anti Human Trafficking (AHT) Caritas India, Ms.Malathy &Co, Justice and hope Foundation Chennai Team. Sr.Prema Chowallur SCC, the vice president of Amrat Talitha Kum India, School Principals, Religious leaders, scholars and five Caritas India’s AHT Implementing partners from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh attended the RTC.

Bishop Lumen in his keynote address highlighted the concepts of Human Trafficking, i.e. Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership in dealing with human trafficking. He highlighted the magnitude of trafficking and how the church leaders at various levels are engaged in this burning issue in addressing this modern slavery.

Rev.W.C.Khongwir, the former moderator of PCI spoke on the greater need to do networking on anti-human traffickings like rescue and rehabilitation.

Fr. (Dr) Jose SVD, the director of SANSKRITI shared that human trafficking is the 3rd biggest modem crime in the world after the arms and drugs trade. He added, “It is estimated that most of the trafficked persons are children and the saddest dimension of the issue is that they are sold or exchanged multiple times.”

Ms. Chihanphi Luiram, Program Associate, Anti-Human Trafficking Program of Caritas India shared that there are instances where women become the hidden agents of trafficking in North East India. She said, “Women are lured to become lenient mediators for other girls and women to be trafficked.” Informing the height of vulnerability at the onset of monsoon in Assam, she said relief camps become a hotspot for trafficking as traffickers and agents reach in disguise as humanitarian workers, and many fall to their prey. She urges the members present to collaboratively work and take forward beyond projects. 

Sr. Prema Chowallur SCC, the vice president of Amrat Talitha Kum India, shared the network of religious sisters who are actively involved in preventing and rescue works, related to anti-human trafficking in India.

The RTC was attended and actively participated by representatives from Assam, Arunachal, Meghalaya, Tripura and Tamil Nadu. The conference enabled the network partners to identify the gaps and recommendations towards addressing the issues effectively as the Northeast has become a trafficking hub. (Acc; NCBR, 2015). 

Ever since covid lockdown and during the covid era, Churches in Northeast India and other civil organizations have relentlessly strived towards addressing the issues of trafficking and the tale of migrants as covid added additional vulnerabilities. And the representation of Tamil Nadu Justice and Hope Foundation is the impact of SET THEM FREE –of INTERFAITH Leaders Network which emerged during the lockdown. This network-enabled Justice and Hope Foundation to restore migrants from Biswanath Chariali Assam. 

The RTC valedictory function was presided by Dr.Jose SVD and Dr.Athpariya, and the way forward and recommendations are as follows:

1. Awareness campaign required to be augmented to address human trafficking in North East India
2. Education is a key factor to counter the menace of trafficking.
3. Strengthening the networks in the North East region, different parts of India and abroad needs to address if we are to counter the crime of human trafficking. 
4. Empowering the civil society groups with the government agencies is important. There is a need for Local and regional structures and mechanisms of people to partner with government agencies, NGOs, Churches and other faith traditions. 
5. Connecting with Justice and Hope Foundation with their toll-free number and services are available structures in South India.
6. Providing safe migration through the help of profile mapping of people leaving for jobs outside the region with village structures and NGOs and Churches can minimize instances of trafficking.
7. The role of media in preventing, rescuing and prevention of human trafficking can and should become part of media education and awareness.