Dibrugarh, Aug 1: In a major breakthrough, railway authorities busted a human trafficking racket at Tinsukia railway station, rescuing 26 minor girls and young women who were being trafficked to Tamil Nadu using forged documents.

Five individuals—both men and women—suspected of involvement in the racket were detained. The joint operation was conducted by the Railway Police Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRPF) during a routine inspection at the station.

One of the accused, Bidyut Dutta, told investigators that the girls were being taken to work in a textile factory in Tamil Nadu. Authorities, however, are probing the claims and working to uncover the full scale of the trafficking network.

Human trafficking has been a persistent issue in Upper Assam, particularly in tea garden areas, where traffickers lure poor families with money before taking away their children, who are later sold in other states.

Assam government has recently notified a comprehensive state policy aimed at combating human trafficking and witch-hunting, underscoring its vision of creating a society where all individuals can live with equal worth, free from abuse. The policy’s mission is to provide a safe and equal society where individuals can claim their entitlements, access services, and lead lives free from violence through coordinated efforts among departments.

The policy specifically acknowledges that human trafficking and witch-hunting disproportionately affect women and girls. While trafficking is described as an organised crime and the fastest-growing criminal enterprise, witch-hunting remains a social crime rooted in regressive practices. Assam’s strategic geographical location—bordering six North Eastern states along with Bangladesh and Bhutan—makes the challenge even more critical, the policy notes.

Notably, Assam has already enacted the Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2018, which makes witch-hunting a cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offence.

The policy stresses the urgent need for a comprehensive approach covering prevention, protection, and rehabilitation of survivors, alongside strong prosecution of culprits. The Department of Women and Child Development has been designated as the nodal department for implementation, with other departments functioning as core or allied stakeholders. Committees will also be formed at the state, district, and gaon panchayat levels to ensure effective interventions.

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