Ranchi: On the 36th day of assuming charge of the Government Chief Minister Hemant Soren had directed the deputy commissioners to take strict action against human traffickers.
This was just the start of an era of transformation and a bright future for the vulnerable population in the state. Since then, the state government has been working tirelessly to curb the menace of human trafficking.
The pandemic induced one of the biggest migration crises in the country. CM Hemant Soren dealt with this issue with a sympathetic and sensitive approach. He directed officials to look into each and every case related to the migrant crisis with the same approach as against human trafficking.
In the later part of June 2021, the Chief Minister came to know about the stranded migrant labourers in the Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh. He intervened and immediately directed officials to take every necessary measure to ensure their safe return. As a result, 33 migrant labourers including female and children were safely rescued and brought back to Jharkhand. The smile on the faces of these people was acknowledgement of the effort of the government. These labourers then went on to discuss in detail, their hellish experience while working as a brick kiln labourer. Their unpaid dues, abusive treatment by the kiln owners and 2 of their friends who were not released by the contractor, was part of their oral document. He did not waste any time and ensured that the other two women, Salomi and Mamta lakda from Lohardaga were rescued safely and brought back to Ranchi on 26 June 2021. Top officials from the labour department connected with the officials of Deoria district and an amount of Rs 5,00,000 was paid back to these labourers against their due wage.
This is not the first time when the Chief Minister has made it a point to personally resolve cases related to human trafficking or migration crises. There are a multitude of such events wherein the management of the crises and work against human trafficking is being conducted extensively and sensitively.
Migrants who have been returning home in the wake of the pandemic are being brought back to Jharkhand on the state government’s expense, they are being provided with welfare benefits and with jobs in accordance with their skill sets.
Every measure is being ensured for the rehabilitation of girls rescued from human trafficking. They are being provided with a living expense of Rs 2,000/month until they attain 18 years of age, free education, and vocational training to make them self-reliant.
On 24 June 2021, a crackdown by Jharkhand Police successfully rescued almost 30 minor girls and boys from Ranchi railway station and Birsa Munda Airport. They all were being trafficked to Delhi. Also, the traffickers were arrested during these actions.