Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting, Smuggling and Piracy , Jammu & Kashmir

16/10/2020 | Jammu & Kashmir

Over some time now, trade in counterfeit, smuggled and pirated goods has developed into a substantial threat to the economy of our country and pose serious safety and security hazards to the society at large. Different government agencies are involved at various stages in tackling such crimes, right from detection, investigation, prosecution and prevention of such offences, often including the recovery of the proceeds of crime. The Police department is the primary law enforcement agency in our country. With low barriers to market entry and infiltration, the Police play a very significant role in ensuring the protection of right owners. There are adequate laws available, but enforcement of the laws makes the role of police officers even more important in the fight against counterfeiters and smugglers.

FICCI’s Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy [CASCADE] in its endeavor to combat crimes related to smuggling and counterfeiting has over the years been sensitizing the country’s enforcement agencies on this issue, equipping them to understand and take requisite action against the various economic offenders. Keeping the above in view, FICCI CASCADE organized a training programme on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling for the Police Officers of Jammu and Kashmir on 16th October 2020. A key objective of the program was to sensitize the officers on the seriousness of the socio-economic impact of counterfeited and smuggled goods, in terms of the huge revenue losses to the government and industry as well as the significant health & safety consequences faced by consumers.

The training was inaugurated by Mr. Manish K Sinha, IPS, Inspector General, Crime, Jammu and Kashmir Police. Mr. Sinha in his address said, “Tackling the crimes of smuggling and counterfeiting of goods has been a major concern of nations since decades. Jammu and Kashmir forces have always been on toes to capture these wrong doers. We are also planning to develop advancements for better enforcement.” He further said that illegal trade not only leads to revenue loss to the government but also leads to unemployment amongst the youth in Jammu and Kashmir, who may be then tempted to join undesirable and illegal activities.

Mr. Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE, in his address informed about FICCI CASCADE’s mandate of capacity building of law enforcement agencies including Judges, Police and Customs Officers, and how CASCADE had been working extensively and intensively in this area nationally, organizing training programmes and seminars along with continuous Interactions with the law enforcement authorities to emphasize on the importance of increased awareness on the gravity of the problem.

Mr. Chand emphasized that India, as a rising economic superpower need to take offences related to counterfeiting and smuggling very seriously and police has a significant role in fighting this menace. He further reiterated that although such offenses are looked at as a victimless crime, it has many far-reaching consequences and is extremely important for a police officer to understand the consequences before taking actions on ground. Only then will an officer investigating a case related to smuggling and counterfeiting be able to understand and take suitable actions

Mr. Irfan Ahmad, Chairman, FICCI Jammu & Kashmir State Council and Managing Director, IA Multiventure Pvt. Ltd in his address said that the perpetrators of illicit trade are always looking at new ways to fool the people and damage the society. In Jammu and Kashmir this year itself the police and other enforcement authorities in the state have uncovered and arrested people engaged in illicit trade. Appreciating the efforts made by the enforcement officers during such unprecedented times, he reiterated that we cannot afford to lower our guard and therefore it is extremely important that our enforcement agencies keep up their already impressive work and ensure that such mischievous elements are kept at bay.

The training programme provided a useful platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences in the enforcement of laws and practices while dealing with the perpetrators. This workshop was extremely helpful in sensitizing the police officers about the relevant laws and procedures to be followed while dealing with the cases related to smuggling and counterfeiting. The technical sessions were followed by an Interactive-Session with the police officials with industry representatives. Industry members highlighted the on-ground practical issues which they faced with regards to the availability of spurious goods and discussed collaborative actions needed with police to counter this menace.

Among the speakers who discussed the wide-ranging concerns on the issue of counterfeiting, piracy and smuggling with the participating police officials were, Advocate Ferdous A Mohammed; Mr. Milind Palany, Global Brand Protection Lead – India & South Asia, Johnson & Johnson; Mr. Rajesh Sharma, Co Chair, FICCI Jammu & Kashmir State Council and Managing Director, Skipper Overseas Pvt. Ltd; Mr. Wani Gowhar, Managing Director, Vowcare Products; Ms. Shilpi Jha, Senior Legal Counsel for Intellectual Property-South Asia, United States Patent and Trademark Office; Mr. Hugh Austin ,Attaché, ICE and Mr. John Kapitzke, Attache, US Homeland Security Investigations

All speakers unanimously agreed that the issue of illicit trade is needed to be addressed as a high priority issue with the government. An orchestrated strategy including communication, coordination and close cooperation amongst various government agencies, law enforcement officials and private sector to combat this menace is imperative. In pursuance of our mandate, FICCI-CASCADE will continue to hold similar programmes across the country in briefing enforcement agencies on procedural and enforcement issues while tackling illicit trading activities.