Assam notifies policy with human trafficking, witch hunting

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. File | Image source: ANI

The Assam government announced on Friday (May 16, 2025) that it had notified policies against human trafficking and witch hunting, “two crimes disproportionately affect women and girls.”

The Chief Minister’s Office said the notice issued on May 6 will take effect from the date of Assam’s national policy to combat human trafficking and end witch hunting.

The CMO said the notice was a “major action to protect human rights and maintain dignity.” The policy aims to “provid a safe and equal society where all individuals can promote safety and security through integration and synergy between all departments.

The policy says Assam’s geographical location – bordering six other northeastern states, West Bengal, Bangladesh and Bhutan – makes it crucial in organized crime trafficking.

Also Read | More than 10,000 trafficking cases, but only 1,031 convictions were reported in 2018-2022

Hunting witches is a social crime and has been a major problem for tea garden workers and ethnic communities such as La Paz. The policy cites the Assam Witch Hunting Act of 2018, which makes witch hunting a cognizable, unproveable and incompatible crime.

The law helps reduce the number of hunting cases. According to data provided by Assam police, 32 witch hunting cases were conducted between 2022 and 2024.

In the above situations, it is urgent to develop a well-designed comprehensive policy to cover all areas of intervention to ensure prevention, protection and rehabilitation of survivors of trafficking and hunting of witches. In addition to ensuring the rights of survivors, preventing crime and prosecution of criminals, it is also an urgent area of ​​intervention. ”

The notice said the Ministry of Women and Child Development will be the node for implementing the policy. Other departments will be designated as core or ally stakeholders.

This policy requires the formation of dedicated committees at the state, regional and rural levels to coordinate field efforts and ensure effective intervention.