Tinsukia, Assam: In a major breakthrough against organized human trafficking, Tinsukia District Police have busted a trafficking network operating in the border areas of Upper Assam and arrested six persons linked to the racket. The arrests followed the alertness of villagers from Duarmara Singpo, one of the remotest villages in Tinsukia district.
According to reports, the villagers apprehended Dipak Phukan when he allegedly attempted to take away two minor children from a local tea estate. Acting swiftly, the villagers handed over the suspect to Pengeri Police Station.
Following sustained interrogation, police identified and arrested five more accused connected to the network — Umakanta Chetri, Boby Deori Sona, Rohit Khadal, Peter Sabashi, and Ajit Munda.
A case has been registered at Pengeri Police Station under Case No. 28/2025, U/S 143(5)/3(5) BNS.
Investigation Officer Sanjib Das stated,
“We have arrested six individuals associated with a human trafficking network. The main accused, Peter Sona, is currently absconding, and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend him. The group targeted children from tea garden areas and trafficked them to Arunachal Pradesh for forced domestic labor.”
Police have also seized a vehicle (Registration No. AS 23AF 5952) used by the traffickers for transporting the victims.
Sources revealed that the gang primarily targeted children from economically weaker families working in tea estates across Upper Assam, especially in Doomdooma and Makum areas.
Earlier, police had rescued four children from another trafficking attempt when a night bus (Registration No. AR 11B 4458) bound for Itanagar was intercepted in Makum, Tinsukia.
Tinsukia Superintendent of Police commended the vigilance and cooperation of local residents, emphasizing that such public awareness and prompt reporting are vital in combating human trafficking networks.
Police have intensified surveillance across vulnerable regions to curb trafficking activities and ensure the safety of children from tea garden communities.
Our Citizen Reporter – Assam
Mr. Arnab Sharma
