DC Mridul Yadav gives clarion call against human trafficking and witch-hunting

Way2barak, July 31 : In a resounding appeal to the conscience of society, Cachar District Commissioner Mridul Yadav has issued a powerful call to action against the twin scourges of human trafficking and witch-hunting crimes that continue to prey on the vulnerable and perpetuate fear in silence. Leading from the front, the District Administration of Cachar orchestrated an intensive two-day awareness campaign across all 16 ICDS project areas on July 28 and 29, 2025, in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development, with a vision to empower communities and dismantle dangerous social taboos through knowledge, empathy, and law.

From the rural hinterlands to the heart of Silchar town, the campaign was marked by spirited awareness rallies, impactful community dialogues, and a coordinated push for legal literacy. Through active participation of Anganwadi workers, health functionaries, educators, Panchayati Raj Institutions, police officials, and youth groups, the initiative carried an unmistakable message  the time to end these evils is now.

The highlight of the campaign was the District-Level Awareness Meeting held on July 29 at the Conference Hall of the District Commissioner’s Office, Silchar, organised by Sankalp Hub for Empowerment of Women, Cachar in association with the District Administration and key departments such as Education, PNRD, Health, and Social Welfare. The session was chaired by District Commissioner Mridul Yadav.

Welcoming the participants,in presence of Additional District commissioner (WCD) Hemanga Nobis, Assistant Commissioner cum In-Charge District Social Welfare Officer Anjali Kumari, underscored the significance of public education and collective effort in changing the narrative. “We are not just organising programmes we are nurturing a shift in mindset,” she said.

District Commissioner Mridul Yadav, while addressing the gathering, urged citizens, officials, and community stakeholders to come together and act decisively. “Human trafficking and witch-hunting are not just legal violations ,they are brutal attacks on human dignity. We must empower our communities to reject superstition, expose exploitative networks, and protect every individual’s right to live free from fear,” he asserted.

The campaign gained further depth through a detailed legal session led by Advocate Dharmananda Deb, Legal Aid Counsel, District Legal Services Authority, who explained the key provisions of the Assam State Policy on Combating Human Trafficking and Ending Witch-Hunting. His session illuminated how law, when understood and accessed by the people, can become a shield of justice and accountability.

Sub-Inspector Maheshwari Das of the Police Department brought ground-level insights into focus, detailing trafficking cases reported from remote and vulnerable pockets of the district. Her observations highlighted the urgent need for vigilance, early reporting, and stronger community-police linkages.

In a compelling show of solidarity, a district-level rally was also organised on July 29, beginning from the DC’s Office and marching through the prominent lanes of Silchar. Participants armed not with protest, but purpose carried placards, raised slogans, and distributed awareness materials, engaging directly with citizens and urging them to become agents of change.