A Unified Stand Against Human Trafficking: NLU Tripura’s Decisive Conference

The Northeast region of India, with its complex border dynamics and diverse demographics, faces unique and significant challenges in the fight against human trafficking. In a powerful step towards addressing this grave issue, the National Law University (NLU), Tripura, in a collaborative effort with the Directorate of Social Welfare and Social Education, Government of Tripura, organized a national human trafficking conference titled “From Vulnerability to Justice: Tackling Human Trafficking in Northeast India.” This decisive event, held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, served as a critical platform for policymakers, legal experts, academics, and activists to forge a unified strategy against this heinous crime.

Key Takeaways from the Human Trafficking Conference

• The Inherent Vulnerability of the Region: Speakers at the conference, including Social Education and Social Welfare minister Tinku Roy and Justice Arindam Lodh of the Tripura Human Rights Commission, highlighted the unique vulnerabilities of the Northeast. The region’s porous borders with neighboring countries make it a hotspot for traffickers. The conference underscored the urgent need for a multi-pronged approach that includes stricter border security, international cooperation, and targeted policy-making.
• A Focus on Proactive Policy and Awareness: The discussions at this human trafficking conference emphasized the shift from a reactive to a proactive approach. It was stressed that policies must not only focus on rescue and rehabilitation but also on prevention. This involves community-level awareness campaigns, particularly among women and children who are often the most susceptible. The chairperson of the Tripura Commission for Women, Jharna Debbarma, was a vocal proponent of these initiatives, emphasizing the need for empowerment through education.
• Geographical Imperatives and Strategic Action: NLU Tripura’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Yogesh Pratap Singh, highlighted Tripura’s specific geographical challenges, being surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides. This reality necessitates a specialized strategic response. The conference served as a forum to discuss these specific challenges and brainstorm localized solutions that can be scaled up across the region. This geographical focus was a central theme throughout the human trafficking conference.
• Academic and Research-Driven Solutions: The conference was not just a platform for dialogue but also a hub for academic inquiry. A total of 45 research papers were presented by scholars from across India, delving into various facets of trafficking, from legal loopholes to social factors. This strong emphasis on research is a testament to the commitment of NLU Tripura’s Centre for Women and Child Rights and the Kautilya Centre for Law and Economics, the key organizers of this human trafficking conference. The concluding remarks from Dr. Debasree Debnath underscored the importance of leveraging research to create evidence-based policies.
• The Path from Vulnerability to Justice: The overarching message of the conference, reflected in its title, was the journey from a state of vulnerability to one of justice. This theme was woven into every discussion, from the need for victim support systems to the importance of swift and fair legal proceedings. The participants of this human trafficking conference left with a renewed sense of purpose and a collaborative roadmap for ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice and survivors are given the support they need to rebuild their lives.