Ensuring dignity : Empowering the less powered

Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Priyanka Narnaware and Advocate Dev Mahapure collaborated for the cause of the defenceless, the weak and the vulnerable.

August 3rd 2022, was an afternoon filled with much expectation. Stuck   between the World day against Human Trafficking on July 30 and Independence day on August 15, it was a day for police personnel to move one more step toward growth. As 96 police officials entered the room, they had multiple thoughts running in their minds. The evening saw the participation of people from an NGO, Police department and the Law for an event to.uphold the dignity of trafficked victims for Project Rescue Pune. DCP Dr Priyanka Narnaware and Advocate Dev Mahapure collaborated for the cause of the defenceless, the weak and the vulnerable.The entire event had one unified purpose – to inform and empower police personnel with right ways to respond to the needs of victims of trafficking. With the JJ Act and the Supreme Court verdict of 2022 as their main texts, the evening’s event began.

Saroj Patole, the General manager of the NGO, anchored the entire event. DCP Priyanka Narnaware, Dr Mathew Daniel and Advocate Dev Mahapure were introduced and the event was handed over to DCP Priyanka Narnaware. 

Encouraging her esteemed colleagues to participate and feel free to ask questions, DCP Priyanka Narnaware spoke about the NGO and her association with Dr Mathew and Suhasini Daniel. Following this Dr Mathew came forward and through a detailed presentation led the police personnel present through the definition, nature, causes of trafficking. He then spoke about the Do’s and Don’ts of Police officers that needs to be followed. Dr Priyanka was called forward to unveil the first poster. These posters outlined how they can be more sensitive to victims of trafficking as well as mentioning all the things that police officers should not do. 

Advocate Dev Mahapure was then asked to share the prominent features and guidelines from the landmark Supreme Court verdict of 2022. With a history of stigma, bias and differential treatment that is meted out to victims of trafficking, this Supreme Court verdict is historic in ensuring that Victims of trafficking are treated with dignity. Advocate Mahapure ensured those present were aware of the Law and its requirements on police personnel.  Law enforcement personnel were encouraged to study this verdict and understand it.The evening’s last item was the response from DCP Priyanka Narnaware who came forward and appreciated the presentations by Dr Mathew Daniel and Advocate Mahapure. 

Speaking about the work of Project Rescue Pune she spoke highly of it and affirmed that it was good and transparent. She also thanked Advocate Mahapure for his presentation and sharing his thoughts on how they could be more aware. She encouraged her colleagues to be more sensitive to the needs of women and children as they had missed out on so much and needed to be part of mainstream society. DCP also thanked her colleagues for being patient and understanding and encouraged them to interact with the facilitators and ask questions. The meeting ended with refreshments served by the staff of Project Rescue Pune.