Dibrugarh, Aug 1: In a major breakthrough against human trafficking in Upper Assam, authorities rescued 26 young women and minors from a trafficking network at Tinsukia Railway Station. The victims, mostly minor girls, were reportedly being transported to Tamil Nadu using forged documents.
The rescue operation was carried out jointly by the Railway Police Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRPF) during a routine inspection at the station. Five individuals—both men and women—suspected of operating the trafficking racket were detained on the spot.
One of the accused, identified as Bidyut Dutta, told investigators that the girls were being taken to work in a textile factory in Tamil Nadu. However, officials are treating the claims with skepticism and have launched a full-scale investigation to uncover the depth and reach of the trafficking network.
Human trafficking has long plagued parts of Upper Assam, particularly in the tea garden belt, where traffickers often lure families with monetary offers. Victims, especially children, are frequently trafficked to other states under false pretenses and exploited.
In response to growing concerns, the Assam government recently notified a comprehensive state policy to combat human trafficking and witch-hunting. The policy envisions a society where all individuals, regardless of gender or economic background, can live with dignity and without fear of exploitation.
Highlighting the disproportionate impact of trafficking and witch-hunting on women and girls, the policy defines trafficking as an organized and rapidly growing criminal enterprise, while witch-hunting is labeled a regressive social crime. Assam’s geographic location—bordering six northeastern states, Bangladesh, and Bhutan—further complicates these issues.
The state had earlier enacted the Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2018, which criminalizes witch-hunting as a cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offence.
The new policy outlines a comprehensive framework focused on prevention, protection, and rehabilitation of survivors, in addition to strict prosecution of offenders. The Department of Women and Child Development has been appointed the nodal agency for implementation, supported by other core and allied departments. Committees will also be set up at the state, district, and gaon panchayat levels to ensure coordinated intervention and monitoring.
