SRINAGAR: The Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has called for stronger inter-agency coordination and improved cyber investigation capabilities to tackle human trafficking, with a Union Territory-level conference in Srinagar highlighting emerging threats such as cyber slavery and the need for sustained rehabilitation of victims.
The one-day conference was organised at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, on Monday on the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Police Headquarters, J&K, to strengthen the institutional response to human trafficking and improve coordination in investigation, rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration.
Inspector General of Police, Crime J&K, Sarah Rizvi inaugurated the conference, while Sheikh Junaid Mehmood, CEO of JK4C, attended as the guest of honour.
In her keynote address, Rizvi said anti-trafficking efforts should not be assessed solely on the basis of victim rescues or registration of cases, but also on whether survivors receive safety, dignity, access to justice and long-term support to reintegrate into society.
She highlighted the challenges posed by cyber-enabled exploitation and cyber slavery, stressing the need to strengthen institutional capacity to respond to evolving methods of trafficking.
The conference brought together police officers, members of the judiciary, officials of the Social Welfare Department, representatives of non-governmental organisations, officers of paramilitary forces and students from Women’s College, MA Road, Women’s College, Nawakadal, and Police Public School, Bemina.
Participants included the DIG-P and all Senior Superintendents of Police of Crime Branch J&K, police nodal officers of Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) across the Union Territory, and other officers and stakeholders.
The technical sessions examined the legal framework governing human trafficking, emerging patterns of exploitation, investigative challenges, missing-person cases and measures for victim protection and rehabilitation.
Aneeda Jan, Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Kashmir, spoke on the legal framework, emerging trends and challenges in human trafficking, outlining relevant legal provisions and difficulties faced by law enforcement agencies in detecting and investigating such offences.
Savita Nayar, Professor at Jammu University, addressed standard operating procedures for missing persons and the role of criminal law and judicial intervention in human trafficking cases. Her session stressed prompt action in missing-person cases and effective coordination among investigating agencies.
Farooq Ahmad Khan, Programme Manager of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme in the Social Welfare Department, spoke on victim identification, rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration. He highlighted the importance of appropriate care, psychosocial support and coordinated efforts to ensure survivors can return to society safely and with dignity.
Kamal Pal Singh Malhotra, SSP JK4C, addressed cyber slavery, drawing attention to the use of digital platforms and technology-enabled exploitation in trafficking-related offences. He stressed the need for stronger cyber investigation capabilities and cooperation among agencies.
The conference also focused on timely investigations, coordination among AHTUs and other stakeholders, and protection of victims’ rights.
Crime Branch J&K said it would continue to strengthen its response to human trafficking through professional capacity-building, technology-enabled investigations and coordination with government institutions and civil society organisations.
