Strict law to check human trafficking in Bihar: Nitish

Patna, Nov 30 (UNI) Admitting the increase of human trafficking in Bihar due to its proximity with Nepal, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced stringent laws would be formulated to prevent the menace.

Addressing a day-long workshop on ''Anti Human Trafficking Needs Assessment,'' Mr Kumar stressed the need for according equal importance to rescue and rehabilitation of the victims.

Mr Kumar said the Indo-Nepal border, adjoining Bihar, was a transit point for trafficking. '' We will make stringent laws to prevent the menace. The government can even bring a bill in the coming budget session of the state legislative Assembly,'' he said.

The Chief Minister stressed the need for sensitising the law enforcement agencies and the NGOs engaged in the mission saying that even after formulating related law, awareness towards this issue.

During his address, Mr Kumar took a tough stand on the role of police in preventing human trafficking and announced to take stern action against the police if it failed to deliver the results.

He assured the NGOs and police to provide a conducive atmosphere and extend full financial support for preventive measures and cautioned the NGOs that any negligence on their part would also invite action against them.

He said a special fund would be created at the state level for rehabilitation of the rescued victims.

''Involvement of elected representatives Panchayat and civic bodies in the mission along with the NGOs and police. Training would be imparted to them about related laws and modous operandi of rehabilitation,'' he added.

He said the role of police has changed and the machinery was now functioning to help society.

He referred to his recent guest lecture in IIM Ahmedabad where his revelations about Bihar police functionings which was helping street children to the school apart from curbing crime was widely acknowledged.

He said it was the moral responsibility of the Director General of Police to sensitise police personnel towards social legislations and asked him to act as a ''master'' for inculcating discipline in the police machinery.

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