SRINAGAR: Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir on Monday organised a Union Territory-level conference on anti-human trafficking at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, focusing on victim-centric investigations, rehabilitation, inter-agency coordination and emerging forms of technology-enabled exploitation.
According to a statement issued by Crime Branch J&K, the conference was organised on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Headquarters, J&K, to strengthen coordination among agencies involved in preventing and investigating human trafficking.
Inspector General of Police, Crime Branch J&K, Sarah Rizvi inaugurated the conference, while CEO JK4C Sheikh Junaid Mehmood attended as the guest of honour. Participants included representatives of the judiciary, Social Welfare Department, Anti-Human Trafficking Units, police, paramilitary forces and non-governmental organisations, besides students from Women’s College, MA Road; Women’s College, Nawakadal; and Police Public School, Bemina.
In her keynote address, Rizvi stressed that the response to human trafficking must extend beyond rescue operations and registration of cases to ensure victims’ safety, dignity, access to justice, rehabilitation and reintegration.
She also highlighted emerging challenges, including cyber-enabled exploitation and cyber slavery, and called for stronger institutional capacity to address evolving forms of trafficking.
Technical sessions covered the legal framework governing human trafficking, emerging trends, missing-person cases, judicial intervention, victim identification and rehabilitation, and technology-enabled exploitation.
Dr Aneeda Jan, assistant professor of law at the University of Kashmir, spoke on the legal framework, emerging trends and challenges in tackling human trafficking. Dr Savita Nayar, professor at the University of Jammu, discussed standard operating procedures for missing-person cases and the role of criminal law and judicial intervention in trafficking investigations.
Dr Farooq Ahmad Khan, programme manager under the Integrated Child Protection Scheme in the Social Welfare Department, highlighted the importance of victim identification, coordinated rescue operations, psychosocial support, rehabilitation and safe reintegration.
SSP JK4C Kamal Pal Singh Malhotra discussed cyber slavery and the role of digital platforms and technology-enabled exploitation in trafficking-related offences. He stressed the need for stronger cyber investigations and coordination among agencies.
The conference provided a platform for law enforcement agencies, judicial representatives, government departments, civil society organisations and students to exchange experiences and discuss measures to improve the prevention, detection and investigation of human trafficking cases.
Crime Branch J&K said it would continue efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, improve inter-agency coordination and promote technology-enabled investigations while ensuring a humane, victim-centric approach to protecting the rights of trafficking victims.