Brahmapur stands against trafficking

Brahmapur: An awareness programme marked the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons at Brahmapur railway station, with a call to strengthen measures against human trafficking and ensure protection of women and children from exploitation.

Organised by ISRD Sakhi One Stop Centre, Ganjam, in collaboration with Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP), the programme featured a human chain, an awareness rally, and a public meeting. Hundreds of railway employees, vendors, porters, sanitation workers, hawkers, and auto-rickshaw drivers participated in the campaign.

Brahmapur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Akavaram S Reddy urged citizens to remain vigilant against human trafficking and oppose violence against women, adolescents, and children. She stressed the need for grassroots awareness, early identification of vulnerable persons, and coordinated efforts by law enforcement agencies and community to prevent trafficking and exploitation.

The speakers highlighted the importance of educating the public about the various forms of human trafficking, ensuring justice, medical care, and psychological support for victims, and addressing the root causes of the crime through stronger preventive measures and effective enforcement.

Among those who addressed the gathering were Shitanshu Kumar Panda, President of Berhampur Civil Court Bar Association; Kalyani Sanghamitra Devi, Deputy Commissioner of Brahmapur Municipal Corporation; Durga Prasad Brahma, Station Manager; Vivek Kumar, RPF Officer; Epili Srinivasa Rao, In-charge CTE; Ch Bishnu, Chief Health Inspector; Gopinath Kolaka and Kailash Chandra Behera of the GRP, along with several representatives of civic bodies, voluntary organisations, and railway stakeholders.

The participants took a pledge to remain alert, resist trafficking networks, and work collectively towards building a safe and exploitation-free society. The programme was presided over by Sudhir Sabat, Director of ISRD.