In a major crackdown, railway authorities in Assam rescued 26 minor girls and young women from a suspected human trafficking operation at Tinsukia railway station. The joint effort by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRPF) led to the detention of five suspects, including Bidyut Dutta, who claimed the victims were being taken to work in a textile factory in Tamil Nadu. Authorities are investigating the broader network, as trafficking remains a serious issue in Upper Assam, especially in vulnerable tea garden communities.
The Assam government has recently launched a comprehensive policy to combat human trafficking and witch-hunting, focusing on prevention, survivor protection, and strict legal action. The policy highlights the state’s strategic location and the disproportionate impact of these crimes on women and girls. It designates the Department of Women and Child Development as the nodal agency, supported by multi-level committees to ensure grassroots implementation. The state also enforces the Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2018, to address related social evils.