The lack of participation by several Indian states and one Union Territory in the Crime Multi Agency Centre (Cri-MAC) platform has been highlighted recently. The Cri-MAC, a core initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs, led by the National Crime Records Bureau, was established to aid early detection and prevention of crime through the use of data sharing.
Non-participation in the Cri-MAC Platform
West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have not uploaded any alerts on the platform. Meanwhile, Delhi, Assam, and Haryana have demonstrated noteworthy participation by uploading the highest number of alerts.
About the Cri-MAC Platform
Launched in 2020, Cri-MAC’s main objective is to facilitate the exchange of information about crime and criminals among various law enforcement agencies. By doing so, it hopes to ensure seamless communication, leading to improved early detection and prevention of crime incidents across the country. At its core, the platform is designed to share real-time updates about significant crimes like human trafficking, enabling better inter-state coordination.
Insights into Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a grave worldwide issue, involving recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, often through force or coercion, with the primary intent being exploitation. This can include a range of exploitative practices — from prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation to forced labor, slavery-like practices, servitude, and organ removal.
India’s Legal Stance Against Human Trafficking
Five key pieces of legislation outline India’s stand against human trafficking – the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956, the Constitution of India’s Articles 23 and 24 (Right Against Exploitation), sections such as 366A, 366B, 370 and 374 of the Indian Penal Code, the Juvenile Justice Act, and the Information Technology (IT) Act. Additionally, the Prevention of Child Labour Act and the Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act also play a part in this fight.
India’s Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking
India has been proactive in its efforts to combat human trafficking. In July 2021, the Ministry of Women and Child Development introduced the Draft anti-trafficking Bill, known as the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021. India is also a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (the Palermo Convention) and the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution.
Regarding internal initiatives, an Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell was established in 2006 within the Ministry of Home Affairs to oversee actions taken by State Governments to prevent the crime of human trafficking. Also existing are programs like “SwadharGreh Scheme”, “Sakhi”, and the “Universalization of Women Helpline”, all aimed at providing support to women affected by violence.
Judicial Colloquium on Human Trafficking
To strengthen legal action against trafficking, a Judicial Colloquium on human trafficking was set up to train court officials on how to effectively handle cases related to human trafficking.
The lack of participation from certain states on the Cri-MAC platform highlights the need for increased commitment from all regions to ensure that human trafficking, among other crimes, can be effectively tackled and eventually eradicated.
