MORANG, Dec 19: Federal Minister for Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Shraddha Shrestha, has stated that human trafficking is a serious crime and the government remains sensitive to its prevention.
Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day workshop on “Challenges of Human Trafficking and Exploitation along the Nepal–India Border” organized by the Ministry and Maiti Nepal in Biratnagar on Thursday evening, she emphasized the need for concerned agencies to actively prevent such heinous crimes through coordination between the two countries.
Minister Shrestha committed that the ministry will carry out planned efforts to immediately rescue and protect victims of trafficking. She also informed that a procedure for preventing trafficking of women will be formulated and implemented without delay.
Human trafficking through Pashupatinagar on the rise
Maiti Nepal Chairperson Anuradha Koirala stated that the organization has been working against human trafficking for the past 30 years, raising public awareness, and facilitating rescue and rehabilitation. She noted that adolescent girls continue to fall prey to trafficking due to illiteracy, unemployment, and various temptations, and stressed the need for cooperation and coordination among society, organizations, and government bodies to control it.
Biratnagar Metropolitan City Chief Nagesh Koirala described human trafficking as a major problem in Nepal and said that its prevention requires mutual coordination.
The ministry’s Secretary Laxmikumari Basnet, Joint Secretary Abha Shrestha, Delhi Police Dr Rakesh Kumar, and NGO Morang Chairperson Bishnu Sharma Pant, among others, expressed confidence that the workshop would raise awareness and help develop future strategies for controlling human trafficking and smuggling.
Organizers stated that strengthening bilateral cooperation and coordination is the main objective of the workshop. Representatives from security agencies, local governments, and civil society from Nepal and India are participating in the two-day workshop.
