Ranchi: Rescue operations should mark the beginning, not the end, of the state’s response to human trafficking, officials said at a state-level consultation here on Wednesday. They stressed the need for sustained rehabilitation, livelihood support and social reintegration to prevent survivors from being trafficked again.The consultation on the Victim Protection Plan (VPP) for survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation was organised by the Jharkhand Women Development Society (JWDS) and the women, child development and social security department at the JEPC conference hall in Dhurwa.Held in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions in the Prajwala vs Union of India case, the meeting aimed to strengthen the coordinated implementation of the plan in Jharkhand.IG (CID) Ajay Linda said anti-trafficking efforts should focus on three stages — prevention, pre-rescue intervention and rehabilitation. He said most victims came from poor, marginalised, tribal and other vulnerable communities, and that the response needed to be sensitive and survivor-centric.Calling for greater engagement with communities and local public representatives, Linda said trafficking networks often operated in plain sight. “Community intelligence could help identify traffickers and prevent crimes before they occur,” he said. Referring to trafficker Panna Lal Mahto alias Panna Lal Ganjhu, he underlined the importance of local information in tracking criminal networks.Linda also stressed the need for stronger intelligence gathering and coordination among agencies and organisations working against trafficking. He identified cyber-enabled trafficking as an emerging challenge and called for greater information sharing with agencies such as the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).Deputy secretary Vandana Belwalkar said the state’s focus must extend beyond rescue operations. “Rescue is the beginning. The real challenge is rehabilitation, livelihood support and reintegration,” she said.The consultation also discussed an interdepartmental convergence framework to strengthen survivor-centred protection, rehabilitation and reintegration services across Jharkhand.
