Shadows over Innocence

Last month, a minor girl from Dimapur was rescued from Arunachal Pradesh weeks after she went missing. It was found during the investigation that the child had been abducted before being sold in the neighbouring state for INR 80,000. A total of five accused have been arrested in connection with the case. But this is not an isolated case and may not be the last. This is only the tip of the iceberg, as northeast India has become the playground of criminals who take undue advantage of the region’s vulnerability to force young boys and girls into undignified activities, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, organ trafficking, etc., against their will. Every year, law enforcement agencies rescue dozens of minor boys and girls from the region, while the whereabouts of many others who go missing remain unknown or untraced.

The menace continues unabated despite efforts to curb it, owing to several underlying factors such as poverty, conflicts, unemployment, lack of awareness, substance abuse, etc. The situation at the national level is grim as well. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), more than 172 girls went missing every day on average in 2022, while 170 girls were kidnapped and three trafficked daily. In Nagaland, at least three cases of missing children were reported daily on average, a police officer revealed a couple of years ago while shedding light on the prevalence of human trafficking in the state. It has also emerged that Nagaland has become a source, transit point, and destination for human trafficking, casting a dark shadow over the conscience of the people.

Coincidentally, Kohima police reportedly busted a sex racket operating in the state capital earlier this week, leading to the arrest of several suspects. While details of the operation are still awaited, it will not be surprising if it has links with human traffickers, as victims are often forced into prostitution. The law enforcement agencies should look into this angle. Human trafficking is fundamentally a violation of human rights, hence prohibited across the globe. In India, it is prohibited under Article 23 of the Constitution, while the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, provides for stringent penalties against offenders—punishable by up to life imprisonment. To deal with matters relating to law enforcement responses in such cases, the Centre has established an Anti-Trafficking Cell, even as it provides financial assistance to all states and UTs for the setting up of Anti-Human Trafficking Units. However, the menace continues. This points to the need for strengthening laws, creating awareness, and active community participation to effectively combat it. A robust support system is essential for addressing human trafficking, as many victims refuse to seek help or report to the police due to reasons such as threats, stigma, fear, and trauma.