Home Minister Anitha Stresses Police–Prosecution Coordination to Curb Human Trafficking

VISAKHAPATNAM: Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha on Saturday called for stronger coordination between police and prosecutors to effectively combat bonded labor and human trafficking.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a capacity building workshop for public prosecutors in Visakhapatnam and inaugurated the event by lighting a ceremonial lamp.

To ensure stronger cases and higher conviction rates, prosecutors must be involved right from the indictment preparation stage, Anitha said, adding that collecting forensic evidence during the “golden hour” is crucial to securing sentences.

He cited the 20-year prison sentence imposed in the Posco case in Ongole and the “Trace Operation” in which 900 children and 180 people stranded abroad were rescued as examples of effective practice. He also emphasized the need to expand the use of modern technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, in research.

The Minister said the Center has provided 30,000 assistance to victims of bonded labor, while the State government is focusing on rehabilitation through skill development and self-employment programmes.

Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Shankabrata Bagchi said underpayment of wages amounted to forced labor under Article 23 of the Constitution and called for stronger legal measures under the BNSS Act, including in-camera trials and audio-visual evidence recording. He also highlighted international cooperation in smuggling cases through extradition mechanisms and Interpol Red Notices.

He said rehabilitation must go together with punishment and called for a humane approach in dealing with victims.

Officials from the prosecutor’s office and the International Justice Mission also attended the workshop.