Hyderabad: Police are overwhelmed with multiple responsibilities and are called for everything, making it difficult for them to focus exclusively on tracking trafficking networks, said Parimala Hana Nutan, DIG (CID), while stressing the need for stronger, specialised systems to tackle the crime.She added that Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) must be given the powers of a police station to independently investigate cases. She noted that the current system, in which cases are routed back to local police stations, leads to delays and weakens prosecution. She said this during a panel discussion at the State-Level Convergence Workshop on Combating Human Trafficking Pertaining to Bonded Labour in Telangana.She highlighted that most trafficking cases remain underreported and require stronger intelligence networks, interdepartmental coordination, and technology-driven surveillance. She also stressed that robust evidence collection and maintaining a proper chain of custody are critical to ensure convictions.Speaking about sex trafficking, Sunitha Krishnan, co-founder of Prajwala, said it must be recognised as a form of bonded labour, describing it as “one of the largest and most invisible criminal enterprises.” She explained that victims are often controlled through psychological coercion and blackmail rather than physical confinement, and may be forced to service multiple clients a day without pay. “Adult victims are often denied compensation and empathy, increasing the risk of retrafficking,” she said.Citing data from recent field studies, Krishnan noted that nearly 78% of victims of sexual exploitation suffer from traumatic brain injuries, underlining the severe and distinct impact of such abuse. She also warned of emerging forms of trafficking, including cases where educated youth are trafficked for forced cybercrime operations in Southeast Asia.
