The main focus of EMPOWER PEOPLE lies on awareness raising and sensitization trainings for law enforcement agencies. The organization is also offering direct victim support and assistance to women vulnerable to human trafficking and domestic violence.hree officials suspended after in-house probe
Demand for IB takeover of airport emigration wing
Demand for IB takeover of airport emigration wing
Nedumbassery: Intelligence agencies have begun an inquiry into the alleged involvement of emigration officials at the Cochin international airport here in instances of human trafficking.
Following an in-house investigation last week by Emigration Senior Superintendent of Police K.G. James, three officials were suspended, pending further investigation. Those suspended were Emigration Sub-Inspectors Binoj and Anita and constable Shibu. The action was initiated by Intelligence DIG Vijay Sreekumar.
According to sources in the Emigration Department, the incident came to light in December last when Airport Director A.C.K. Nair received an anonymous letter. It alleged that some officials, in association with a couple of travel agencies, were engaged in human trafficking to West Asia.
The issue sparked a controversy when some of the passengers who had boarded flights from here were deported on their arrival at the respective destinations for want of genuine travel documents.
On February 18 this year, the Airport Director received a complaint from an airline company that accused an emigration officer of compelling the airline staff to issue boarding pass to a passenger without emigration clearance.
According to the sources, following a flurry of complaints, the department intends to carry out a cleansing process through transferring some of its officials.
Meanwhile, fresh instructions have been issued to tighten the passport clearance procedure, especially of passengers from outside the State. This follows reports that at least 15 such passengers had used Kochi as their exit point from the country for illegal migration.
The controversy has strengthened the long-pending demand from various quarters for the Intelligence Bureau to take over the emigration wing at the airport. The sources said a proposal in this regard was pending with the Union Home Ministry for the last couple of years and a three-member team from the Centre visited the airport early this year to study the proposal. The team was expected submit its report soon. The Hindu
Posted in: The Report
