Act on plight of city’s sex workers: NHRC to chief secy, DGP

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the state chief secretary and the DGP to submit detailed reports on the preventive, punitive, reformative and rehabilitation measures taken by the government on the issues related to the sex workers in the state capital.
The commission issued this direction on May 15 after hearing a petition filed by human rights activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy on November 7 last year. He mentioned in his petition that girls and women working as sex workers in Master Canteen/Mali Sahi locality here are victims of human trafficking. Tripathy alleged that the police have not taken sincere steps to prohibit the recurrence of sex trade. “Functioning of the state-level coordination committee to combat trafficking is not satisfactory. Similarly, statutory institutions set up under the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act, 1956 are not functional,” he added.
The petitioner further alleged that the victims are deprived of benefits under various social welfare schemes like anganwadi and integrated child development services (ICDS).
After taking cognizance of the case, the NHRC on December 25 last year directed the state government to submit reports and reply to the allegations made by the petitioner. The Odisha police have submitted a report before the NHRC this year regarding the matter.
The commission has considered the police report where the fact of indulgence of a few women of Malisahi slum area in sex trade activity was admitted. Police mentioned in the report that they conduct regular raids, patrolling and keep a close watch to check and prevent immoral activities, including human trafficking and forced sex trade.
The government report stated that there are six anganwadi centres in the Mali Sahi area where benefits related to ICDS are provided to all the beneficiaries. “Besides, there are two primary schools operational in the area for providing education to children. Several NGOs and four self-help groups are also working constantly to uplift the people of the area,” read the commission’s order quoting the government report.