MHA issues advisory to track missing children

Union home ministry has issued a country wide advisory to states and enforcement agencies to track missing children and step up anti-trafficking drills.

Union home ministry has issued a country wide advisory to states and enforcement agencies to track missing children and step up anti-trafficking drills.

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"Ministry of home affairs has issued a comprehensive advisory on missing children, measures needed to prevent trafficking and trace the children. The advisory envisages a cohesive approach among all stake holders for tracing out missing children," additional secretary in the home ministry B Bhamathi told reporters.

She said that existing anti-trafficking laws in the country are powerful and they need to be implemented in true letter and spirit.

The advisory came on a day when the home ministry took serious note of the plight of two-year-old battered baby Falak and sought a report from Delhi Police on the probe related to the child, terming it a case of human trafficking.

Separately, the ministry also announced institution of awards for recognition of outstanding work done by individuals and organisations to combat human trafficking.

The awards will be given in three categories.

While category I is for States/UTs in which two awards each of 2 lakhs will be given, category II will have three awards and will be given to individual officers of States/UTs. The award in this category will carry a commendation and cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh.

Category III is for Non-Government Organisations/Civil Society Organisations (NGOs/CSOs) and two awards of Rs 75,000 each will be given in this category, the ministry said.