NHRC seeks ATR on prevalence of human trafficking in Odisha
Kendrapara,Oct 4 : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an ATR from the Odisha Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, for submission of additional report on prevalence of Sex work, human trafficking in Odisha.
Seeking intervention of the NHRC, Rights Activist Radhakanta Tripathy highlighted the plight of Sex workers and trafficked girls and women and their families in Odisha, especially in Bhubaneswar.
Pursuant to the notice of the NHRC, the State Authorities submitted various activities undertaken to address the issue.
The NHRC sought for Comments/Rejoinder of the petition on the ATR submitted by the State.
In his Rejoinder, the petitioner , Tripathy stated that the report submitted by the State suffers from various lapses.
Had the state government taken sincere measures none of the area in Bhubaneswar would become infamous for slightest reason of human trafficking, flesh trade, running brothels under the garb of other activities.
The State, Tripathy said is yet to act on the compliance of the directions of the Supreme Court laid down in the Budhadev Karmaskar against West Bengal.
The petitioner who has been instrumental in conducting comprehensive survey with possible solutions by Institutes of repute for ensuring justice to sex workers of GB Road, Delhi and Asia’s biggest red light area “Sonagachhi” in Kolkata stated that the Department of Women and Child Development of Odisha Government has not selected any such Institution to conduct the mapping and survey of women engaged in prostitution across Odisha and the report of the survey as on date is not available.
He further pointed out “the report has not mentioned as to what steps have been taken by the police to prohibit the recurrence of sex trade at Bhubaneswar.
The functioning of State Level Coordination Committee to combat trafficking is not satisfactory,Tripathy said, adding that the statutory institution set up under the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act, 1956 is not functioning properly.
The Linkages with Helpline is not adequately advertised. Mapping of Red light Areas is not properly done. The efficacy of Open Shelter (Shelter for care and protection of vulnerable children under Integrated Child Protection Scheme(ICPS) has not been verified properly.
He further said the tie up with the State Legal Service Authority is not done as expected and the Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) is not performing properly due to staff and infrastructure issues. “
The State Aids Control Society, Tripathy said, is yet to provide status of health initiatives taken with victims of trafficking at their end.
The senior citizens from the area who want to come out to the mainstream and those who are unable to come out to the society for social, physical and mental reasons are cared for by the State or not.
Since Flesh Trade, sex work is not legal in India, the areas in Bhubaneswar soliciting clients for sexual violence for a meager amount for sustenance of livelihood or even for bigger amount definitely puts serious question of human rights, Tripathy alleged.
The NHRC in its order on October 3 last has called for requisite report to be submitted within four weeks, failing which the Commission would be constrained to issue coercive process U/sec. 13 PHR Act, 1993.”
