CHENNAI: The Anti Human Trafficking Unit of the Chennai city police, along with the District Child Protection Unit, is on a drive to prevent child trafficking, and rescue children from criminals who push them into begging, anti-social activities, and even sex trade.
The drive is part of Operation Muskan, a month-long, nation-wide drive to trace missing children. This drive comes close on the heels of the success of Operation Smile, a similar effort conducted in January as per the directions of the Supreme Court.
The Centre had instructed all States to conduct a similar operation in July. Officials managed to trace as many 3,000 children in the earlier campaign between January 1 and 31. Five special teams consisting of police officers, District Child Protection Officers, NGOs and other government officials were formed, and all children in shelter homes, platforms, bus stands, railway platforms, roads, religious places, tourist spots, etc., were screened. The rescued children were handed over to parents and a few others were rehabilitated.
Similar efforts will be made in this campaign too, and children in need of care and protection will be screened.
To help save innocent children, District Collector A Sundaravalli has requested the general public to inform the District Child Protection Unit (044-25952450) or Childline (1098) about missing children or children in need of care and protection.