Overview
- Formulated By: Department of Women and Child Development, Assam
- A comprehensive state policy addressing both human trafficking and witch-hunting.
Key Objectives
- Eradicate human trafficking and witch-hunting.
- Treat both issues as legal and socio-economic problems.
- Provide a multi-tier, systemic response to victim rehabilitation and crime prevention.
Context
- Human Trafficking Cases (2020–2024): 690 reported (actual numbers likely higher).
- Geographical Risk Factor: Assam shares international borders with Bangladesh and Bhutan, making it a major trafficking corridor.
- Witch-Hunting:
- Criminalized under the Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Act, 2018.
- Still persists in rural and tribal areas (e.g., Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Karbi Anglong, Upper Assam).
Victim-Centric Rehabilitation Measures
Immediate Relief: Interim financial aid.
Long-term Support:
- Safe shelter
- Trauma counselling
- Vocational training
- Education assistance
- Employment/self-employment support
Children: Rehabilitation under Juvenile Justice Act.
Women: Linked with One Stop Centres and Shakti Sadans.
Extreme Cases: Provision for relocation and new identities.
Legal Support: Free representation and victim-witness protection.
Institutional Mechanisms
Mission Shakti Framework:
- Committees at State, District, and Village levels.
- Duties include: rescue, legal aid, awareness, reintegration.
Community Involvement:
- Roles for panchayats, SHGs, schools, Village Defence Parties, civil society.
- Maintain migration registers and monitor vulnerable zones.
Judicial & Law Enforcement Measures
- Special Courts: Fast-track trials for trafficking and witch-hunting.
- Training: Sensitization of police and judiciary.
- Asset Seizure: Confiscation of traffickers’ property to fund rehabilitation.
Utilization of existing schemes: Mission Vatsalya, Mission Shakti, Orunodoi.
Monitoring & Funding
- Dedicated Budget Head: For implementation.
- Annual Social Audits: To assess effectiveness, fill gaps, and ensure transparency.
