By Our Correspondent, Nepalgunj, Dec. 1: Various governmental and non-governmental organisations of Nepal and India have made a collective commitment to prevent and control human trafficking, which has developed as a blot on human civilization.

The commitment was made at a coordination meeting held in Nepalgunj between the government bodies and concerned organisations of both countries to combat human trafficking. The meeting was held under the 16-day activism against gender-based violence.

At the meeting, the stakeholders highlighted that human trafficking couldn’t be controlled unless there was coordination and cooperation between the concerned authorities of both countries.

Shobha Shah, Chief of the Women, Children and Senior Citizens Division of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, said cooperation and coordination were needed between the two countries to combat trafficking.

Stating that campaigners of both the countries should join hands in the campaign against human trafficking, Shah spoke of the need for collective efforts among all stakeholders concerned, including government, private and society, to combat the crime.

“Their collective effort is crucial in rescuing and rehabilitating those at risk,” she added.

Inspector Dilli Bahadur Khadka, Chief of Ward Police office, Nepalgunj, said heinous crimes like human trafficking could be minimised if Nepal and India cooperated in a coordinated manner.

In the meeting, Hassan Feroze of Dehat Bharat of India said human trafficking could be dealt with only through collective effort.

Discussion and deliberation among the stakeholders of both the countries is a must, he added. 

Santosh Pulami of Plan International Nepal said, “More vigilance should be exercised at the Nepalgunj border, as it is the most sensitive and risky checkpoint.”

At the programme, Mahesh Nepal of UNESCO Club gave a detailed account of the human trafficking situation in the region.

Various speakers also underscored the need to adopt zero tolerance towards human trafficking.