Combating human trafficking

Nagaland Police undertakes cross border exposure to Myanmar and Thailand  

Kohima, July 13 (DIPR): Two-member team representing the Nagaland Police has returned from a Cross Border exposure and learning trip to Myanmar and Thailand in connection with human trafficking issues.  

The trip was organized by the Impulse NGO Network based out of Shillong, Meghalaya. The other delegations included police officers, lawyers and members of the civil societies from the various states of North East India. Impulse NDO Network has been working towards addressing human trafficking in the North East India and its neighboring countries in Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh.  

While combating human trafficking, the Organization has developed the ‘Impulse Model’. The Impulse Model is a holistic approach which brings stakeholders from Law enforcement agencies, lawyers, CSOs’ public and private sector; under one umbrella to respond to human trafficking cases effectively and efficiently through software –The Impulse Case Info Centre (ICIC). The model has received the Silver Prize for Japanese Most Innovative Development Project from Global Development Network (GDN) under the Japanese Social Development Fund, Government of Japan. Nagaland Police is also a user of the software and training has been imparted to all the Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTU) of the District Police.  

A release by PRO, PHQ, M. Tungoe IPS stated that the trip comprised of the entities that supported the Impulse Model and the agenda primarily aimed at sharing of experiences with the Model to build linkages between the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the North East India and the Anti-Trafficking Taskforce of Myanmar for efficient repatriation of Human trafficking survivors from both countries.  

Consultations were held at Nay Pyi Taw on developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in addressing cross border human trafficking between India and Myanmar. The trip included imparting of training on the use of the Impulse Case Info Centre Software to the Anti Trafficking Taskforce of Myanmar for efficient co-ordination between AHTU of North East India for combating cross border human trafficking.  

The team also visited the Thai-Myanmar border in Myawaddy to observe the on-ground operation between Thailand and Myanmar in checking cross border human trafficking. The trip ended in Bangkok, Thailand on June 22 after meeting with anti trafficking in person division, Royal Thai Police to understand their approach towards human trafficking and explore the support mechanisms they adopt from implementing the MoU signed between Thailand and Myanmar to prevent human trafficking. The concluding meeting was with the United Nation Officer on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which has been long term support of the Impulse Model.  

Shouka Kakheto, Addl Dy. Commissioner of Police (Crime), Dimapur and Igwangheing Hemang, Addl.SP, Kohima along with Chenithung Humstoe, the Chief Functionary of the Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre, Nagaland represented the team from Nagaland. It may also be mentioned that Nagaland shares borders with Myanmar extending to 215 Kms.