BHUBANESWAR: The Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned the sixth Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (IAHTU) for the State. The special cell would be located at Balasore.Five IAHTUs are currently operational at the Crime Branch, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate of Police, and Range Headquarters of Rourkela, Sambalpur and Berhampur.With northern Odisha emerging as an area most vulnerable to human trafficking, the State had proposed the additional unit at Balasore. The anti-human trafficking unit would be provided an annual consolidated grant of ` 1 lakh. The special cell will have jurisdiction over the entire State.Human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation, labour, forced marriages, domestic servitude, adoption, begging and public sports are on the rise in the State. “Data reveal that trafficking has taken shape of an organised crime in the State and must be dealt with professional expertise,” a Crime Branch officer said.The IAHTUs are mandated with intelligence gathering, rescue operations and action against the offenders. Besides, repatriation of victims belonging to other states and rehabilitation of local victims are the other responsibilities of the cell.
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