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The Rising Issue of Human Smuggling
Context:
Human smuggling, often referred to as kabootarbazi in India, has become one of the most profitable and sinister forms of trade in the country.
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- Every year, countless young Indians fall prey to unscrupulous agents and traffickers, who exploit their hopes of securing a better future abroad.
- The tragic stories of Indians being deported from the United States or abandoned in dangerous foreign lands, like Iraq, highlight the perilous journey that many take, often unaware of the grim fate that awaits them.
The Scale of the Problem
- Human smuggling in India is a well-organised racket that operates on the fringes of society. The trade thrives in rural areas of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, and Gujarat, where vulnerable youth are lured with promises of a prosperous life overseas.
- The traffickers prey on dreams of wealth, often promising quick and easy migration to countries like the United States, Canada, or the Middle East. Unfortunately, the reality is far different. Many young migrants end up in forced labour camps or are subjected to life-threatening conditions.
- Once caught in the web of illegal immigration, these migrants face exploitation, abuse, and unimaginable horrors. Many die in horrific conditions, suffocated in containers, stranded in deserts, drowned at sea, or forced into gruelling labour in ammunition dumps or fields.
- Survivors of these tragic journeys often share heart-wrenching accounts of being denied food and water, left to endure unspeakable hardships while others around them perish.
The Economics of Human Smuggling
- The human smuggling trade generates enormous profits for criminals, making it an increasingly attractive business for organised crime syndicates. This illegal trade involves minimal risk for the perpetrators, which makes it all the more dangerous.
- The trade network operates across global borders, with professional mafias coordinating to exploit vulnerable migrants. Smuggling, being a low-risk, high-reward business, is becoming more sophisticated, attracting international attention as a growing global menace.
Legislative Shortcomings and Government Response
- The Emigration Act of 1983 does not adequately address the problem of human smuggling. The Act, meant to regulate the emigration of Indian citizens, fails to define human smuggling or deal with the grave risks involved. As a result, the existing laws do little to curb this widespread issue.
- While the central government has been slow to act, the state of Punjab has taken some steps to curb human smuggling.
- In 2012, Punjab introduced the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act. This law aims to regulate the travel agent industry and curb the illegal, fraudulent activities that facilitate human smuggling.
- The Act requires travel agents to be licensed and imposes penalties for illegal practices, including the illegal transportation of individuals abroad for profit.
- However, despite this commendable effort, the law’s implementation has been poor, and the problem persists.
- In 2012, Punjab introduced the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act. This law aims to regulate the travel agent industry and curb the illegal, fraudulent activities that facilitate human smuggling.
The Need for a National Law
- The existing Emigration Act needs to be amended to address the growing concerns around illegal immigration and human trafficking.
- Parliament must recognise that this is no longer just a domestic issue but a global problem that requires coordinated action.
- The central government must act swiftly to introduce a national law that provides a clear legal framework for addressing human smuggling.
- This law should not only define human smuggling but also create strict penalties for traffickers and those who facilitate illegal migration.
- It should include provisions to protect the rights and safety of Indian citizens abroad and ensure that the country’s borders are not exploited for illegal activities.
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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
