Low conviction in trafficking case a concern: NGO

Guwahati, Dec 28 (UNI) The Global Organisation for Life Development (GOLD) today expressed concern over the low conviction rate in trafficking cases due to slow judicial process.

Addressing a press meet here, legal advisor of GOLD Indrajit Bora said there had been no conviction yet in any of the case against human traffickers filed by the NGO.

He said it takes close to three years on a routine manner for a case to get a hearing in court from the time a FIR is lodged.

Mr Bora pointed out that there was no special court in Asom to deal with trafficking cases as was permissible under the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act. ''There is a special magistrate for dealing with such cases in Guwahati, but he is also given to handle other cases due to which he can not specialize in this issue,'' he added.

GOLD General secretary Rajeeb Sharma informed that the NGO had rescued 31 girls in the past six months in collaboration with the police.

''However, the powerful people behind the trafficking network make it difficult for us to nab the kingpin. Only the broker is arrested in most cases,'' he added.

He said girls below 18 years of age were in highest demand.

Poor financial background was a primary reason for many girls being pushed into the flesh trade, Mr Sharma added.

''Most trafficked girls are sold off in Guwahati, they are brought from all parts of the state'', he said, adding that the city was also fast becoming a transit point for the traffickers.

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