Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
‘Human trafficking’ is a heinous crime against humanity. At present it has become a social disorder. A group of anti-social criminals earn money in an easy way as a human trafficking career. They are applying techniques for human trafficking and involving in women and child trafficking activities against humanity and religion. These evil men have laid down their deceitful trap in different places. Many illegal immigrants have drowned in the deep sea out of the temptations from the illegal traffickers or they have been remaining as a hostage to the hands of the traffic syndicates and living a very inhuman life. They also have been spending their life in the midst of uncertainty. There cannot be noble intentions behind illegal human trafficking. Rather illegal earning is the main goal of the smugglers. To them, there is no option of humanity.
The government has taken a strict stand against trafficking of women and children in the country. On this issue, different inter-ministerial committee has been formed. Moreover a monitoring cell has been setup in the police headquarters. Special search system has been undertaken in the air and land ports. In this regard one committee has been working headed by Deputy Commissioner. Again special measures and programs have been taken for rehabilitation of the rescued women and children. Media can play an active role for creating mass awareness to prevent human trafficking.
Illegal human trafficking operations are conducted by strong domestic and international syndicate. Human trafficking has now converted to transnational and global profitable trade. Women and children trafficking is being conducted through the border areas like Jessore, Satkhira, Benapol, Darshana, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat. Mainly the unprotected border points of Jessore, Satkhira, Lalmonirhar, Dinajpur and Chapainawabganj areas are being used as the main route for trafficking of women and children. If awareness is created in the poorest people of the border region the women and child trafficking will be reduced greatly.
Unknown and suspected people coming in the name of job and marriage must be watched carefully and its authenticity needs to be verified. Again awareness to the students must be created by their teachers and guardians. Moreover, in the weekly prayer day the mosque Imams can conduct the awareness program to the villagers. Only then there will be an all-out social movement against trafficking in women and children. In this regard, benefits will be reaped by introducing strong village judicial system across the country.
It is the duty of the teachers and parents in a family to make the students and the children aware of the fate of human trafficking. It is mandatory to have a photography and primary identity to be verified before employment of the working people. The children at home should be memorized the name, phone number and address of any new person. Moreover they should be given the awareness education, so that they do not take foods from any stranger. In the vulnerable areas where smuggling, exploitation, negligence, harassment and all other evil doings are done should come under preventive measures against social distortions. At the same time, necessary educational arrangements for the dropouts and area of employment creation fields need to be taken. The youths should come under skill development projects. At the same time, the interests need to be enhanced for going abroad. The law and order agency must have their strict rule. No citizen should be allowed to go abroad illegally. That needs to be monitored. The supervision of law and order agency must be increased and they must remain alert and active. All these things will be made possible and effective by strong and active coordination.
For prevention of crimes, many law enforcement agencies and intelligence departments are working. Yet women and children trafficking are not declining. But it is increasing day by day. The law and order agencies cannot avoid the liabilities of the incidents that are taking place very frequent in the county. In the past, the vigilant activities were seen only on any instant occurrences. After few days, the actions remain passive. Very recent, one Hridaya of Tiktok, social network agency illegally sent some innocent girls to India in a very organized way. However, this fellow was arrested in India. All these rubbish and stupid jobs should be stopped by the application of our existing laws and should come under punitive actions. To prevent the illegal human trafficking, it is of utmost necessary to organize a social campaign and nation-wide awareness program. In order to prevent human trafficking, it is necessary to organize meetings, seminars and workshops rurally and nationally. They can play an active role in the awareness motivational program in their own localities. For its effective implementation the village judiciary system may be introduced.
Besides, if foreign employment is created through public-private initiatives the illegal human trafficking to abroad will definitely be lowered. Remedial measures need to be taken with unity against all odd things and anti-social activities. From that point of view, it is a demand of the time to organize community based developing committee for social vibrancy and maintaining law and order in the rural areas. In fine, we would like to recommend to include village judiciary system in our local government and to take drastic action against human trafficking. The peace-loving people in the country are eagerly waiting with an appeal to government for immediate change and reformation.
(Dr. Forqan is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP).
