In a major breakthrough, the Itanagar Capital Police in Arunachal Pradesh have dismantled a human trafficking network with alleged ties to the National Socialist Council for Taniland (NSCT) and its armed wing, the United Tani Army (UTA). The operation, which targeted a cross-border racket involving militant recruitment and arms trafficking, uncovered a disturbing nexus with human trafficking activities in the state’s capital region.
The investigation began earlier this year when police took suo motu action after discovering threatening videos and letters circulating on social media, allegedly issued by NSCT leader Anthony Doke, a fugitive wanted in over 20 cases. A case was registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (UA) Act, according to Capital Superintendent of Police Rohit Rajbir Singh. The probe revealed that the NSCT, which advocates for a separate “Taniland” for the Tani tribes in northeastern Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Assam, was linked to a broader criminal network.
During the operation, authorities rescued several victims, including minors, who were trafficked from impoverished areas in Assam’s Dhemaji and Udalguri districts. The police conducted raids at multiple locations, including a residence-cum-brothel in Chimpu, leading to the rescue of three juvenile girls. Two other victims revealed they were trafficked by sisters Pushpanjali Mili and Purnima Mili, who allegedly collaborated with local operatives to force the girls into prostitution. The operation resulted in multiple arrests, including traffickers, intermediaries, and clients, some of whom were government employees.
Further investigations exposed connections between the trafficking ring and a narcotics network operating in the Gohpur-Chimpu corridor near Itanagar. This led to an additional case under the NDPS Act, with two more arrests and the seizure of illegal drugs. The police are continuing to probe potential links to other insurgent groups and criminal networks in the region.
The crackdown has been praised for its thoroughness, with SP Singh emphasizing the police’s commitment to rooting out such illicit activities. Social media posts on X have also highlighted the operation, with users commending the efforts to combat human trafficking while raising concerns about the involvement of insurgent groups. The case has sparked calls for stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities and curb cross-border criminal activities in Arunachal Pradesh.
