Assam Witnessing Rise in Women Trafficking Case

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Sept 10: Contrary to the degree of awareness being broadened across the state, numbers of cases registered under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 has been increasing in Assam. Moreover, despite the expansion of police outposts, strengthening of police personnel, emergence of the cyber cell and increased network of intelligence in the State, the trend of trafficking of women has not come to an end.

As such, number of women has perpetually distanced from their children, husbands and other relatives while some minor girls have lost their parents, brothers and sisters. On the other hand, those rescued by police suffered trauma recalling the nightmare they went through after falling prey to the trafficker.

According to a report accessed from the Assam Police, the year wise number of cases registered against the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 were, 18 in 2013, 29 in 2014, 47 in 2015, 65 in 2016, 79 in 2017 while there were 15 cases (till April) in 2018.

This report clearly shows how the trend is witnessing sharp rise every year. It indicates us the vulnerability that has been prevailing in front of us.

Notably, how many women victims were rescued from the hands of the chained traffickers over these six years is another issue. However, what is more troublesome is the fact that even after the rescue, a woman normally faces social alienation as well as discrimination in her own locality. During such a period, a proper institutional guidance and counseling plays a pivotal role to rehabilitate her mentally and physically which however is lacking in the state.

At a time when the social crisis like unemployment has been wide spreading across the state irrespective of rural and urban, miscreants involved with trafficking easily induce young and adult women with a fake promise to offer a better job outside the state. As such, thousands fall into the trap.