<p>Despite sexual exploitation of women being on an alarming rise in the country, a decisive action by the Central and state governments to counter the menace is hardly in sight.<br /><br /></p>.<p>According to reports, around 30,00,000 prostitutes of whom around 40 per cent are children, have fallen prey to various trafficking syndicates. A senior government official said acting against prostitution is not on the police priority list until a case becomes sensational. <br /><br />Women are trafficked into the country from the Nepal border, he said, adding that Hyderabad, with its nexus with Gulf countries, is another epicentre for human trafficking in the country. “There is a marriage racket involving young brides,” the official added.<br />Former Director General of Uttar Pradesh police, Prakash Singh, felt the absence of Organised Crime Act has further facilitated human trafficking.<br /><br />Besides enabling the CBI to take suo motu action against human traffickers, the Act will also help to curb money laundering and smuggling of narcotics, he added. Opining on the issue, Singh attributed the menace to shortage of staff and lack of awareness in police personnel at the state level.<br /><br />The Union Home Ministry this week announced that State governments would establish 110 Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) by the year end. Overall, there is a proposal to establish 330 AHTUs across the country and impart training to 10,000 police officers through Training of Trainers component.<br /></p>
<p>Despite sexual exploitation of women being on an alarming rise in the country, a decisive action by the Central and state governments to counter the menace is hardly in sight.<br /><br /></p>.<p>According to reports, around 30,00,000 prostitutes of whom around 40 per cent are children, have fallen prey to various trafficking syndicates. A senior government official said acting against prostitution is not on the police priority list until a case becomes sensational. <br /><br />Women are trafficked into the country from the Nepal border, he said, adding that Hyderabad, with its nexus with Gulf countries, is another epicentre for human trafficking in the country. “There is a marriage racket involving young brides,” the official added.<br />Former Director General of Uttar Pradesh police, Prakash Singh, felt the absence of Organised Crime Act has further facilitated human trafficking.<br /><br />Besides enabling the CBI to take suo motu action against human traffickers, the Act will also help to curb money laundering and smuggling of narcotics, he added. Opining on the issue, Singh attributed the menace to shortage of staff and lack of awareness in police personnel at the state level.<br /><br />The Union Home Ministry this week announced that State governments would establish 110 Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) by the year end. Overall, there is a proposal to establish 330 AHTUs across the country and impart training to 10,000 police officers through Training of Trainers component.<br /></p>