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Mumbai : A program was organized by Save Our Land (SOUL) on April 22 at 7.45 p.m at St. Anthony’s Mini Hall , Marve Road here, with a talk on “Better Policing” by Key Note Speaker Anson Thomas, CNN-IBN Real Hero Award Winner in 2009 for rescuing over 700 women many of whom were minors, a campaign against human trafficking.

Anson Thomas , 48 years now, one of our NAGAR / PRW supporters is a CNN-IBN Real Hero award winner in 2009. He has rescued more than 700 women many of whom were minors in the last 18 years when he began a personal mission- a one many army against human trafficking despite repeated threats to his life. Anson who is an ex-Custom Officer has been relentless in the face of an uninterested administration. The award money of Rs 5 lakhs was donated by him to one of the girls rescued in 1996 so that she could buy a house to begin a new life with her husband. According to him there are more than 50,000 girls in brothels who haven’t come there by choice and trapped in the Brothels. . You can google him on you tube to know more about it.

Anson Thomas shared with us his testimony of what prompted him to get involved in this rescue with a missionary zeal. Also give us insights into the rescue operations with the help of the Police. How he had motivated his Marthomite Church to support the campaign and setting up of the Rehabilitation centre at Murbad which currently houses over 150 children rehabilitated from the red light area. Besides countless others who are supported for their education etc by the community.

Anson also shared the Law pertaining to Immoral Trafficking known as PITA-Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act. He also shared the filing of the FIR, facts to be recorded, the role of Panchas who sign the panchnamas and play a very important role in ensuring that the Brothel Owners / Managers are convicted. His rescue operations have resulted in several convictions. Anson’s demand is to auction the Brothel premises and the proceeds are used for the welfare of all those who have been rescued.

While sharing the various sections of PITA he mentioned Section 7 [1] Any person who carries on prostitution and the person with whom such prostitution is carried on in any premises which is within a distance of 200 metres of any place of public religious worship, education institution , hospital should be punishable with imprisonment. He appealed to the gathering to get involved in such campaigns and also put pressure on the Police to ensure that appropriate and prompt action is taken in all Human trafficking cases.

Anson asked for a special appeal to put pressure on the Government and the Police in reference to the Brothels at Congress House which is just 50 metres from the Queens Mary School which has over 1200 girls only School. In 2012 Anson had launched a campaign and a front page article in the Mumbai Mirror did not elicit the type of support needed from the Government and the Police to cleanse this place from the Brothels. Are we going to act only if any of our girl students are raped or kidnapped was his remark.

Anson Thomas who was accompanied by his team mate, Mathew Thomas truly inspired and motivated the participants. The SOUL Team along with NAGAR /PRW would support to launch a campaign with the concerned authorities on this issue. Please do let us know if you have any better ideas to support this campaign. Please contact me at 9833884227