Anti-human Trafficking Units in Manipur, India: Status and Challenges

Abstract

The article examines the status and challenges of Anti-human Trafficking Units (AHTU) in Manipur. Purposive sampling was used to collect primary data from officials recruited to combat human trafficking. The officials reported that they were deployed to maintain law-and-order in almost all the districts of Manipur. Although Manipur is tagged as the ‘source’ and ‘transit’ centre for human trafficking, the issue does not appear to
be a priority for the AHTUs in Manipur. The 60,000 people including 22,000 children displaced post the 3 May 2023 communal violence, could well become a potential source for human trafficking.

Keywords: human trafficking, AHTU, Manipur, North East India, MHA

DOI: 10.32444/IJSW.2024.85.1.51-66