GUWAHATI, Nov 30 - In what denotes a marked improvement in detection and prevention of human trafficking cases compared to previous years, Assam has been ranked 10th in terms of reported cases of human trafficking in the country in 2016 by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data which was released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today.
In 2015, Assam had second highest reported cases of human trafficking in the country.
West Bengal topped the rank with 3,579 human trafficking cases followed by Rajasthan and Gujarat with 1,422 and 548 cases respectively.
Further, in terms of rate of crime vis-�-vis its population size, Assam has been put in the 11th position.
Most of the trafficked victims from Assam were either forced labourers or sexually exploited, revealed the latest NCRB data as per which 91 cases of human trafficking were reported in the State during 2016.
A total of 249 victims, including 163 females, were trafficked during the period. The total trafficked included 130 minors.
During 2016, law enforcers managed to arrest 98 accused and charge-sheeted 37 of them (in 28 cases), although there was no conviction or acquittal.
The disposal rate (charge-sheet and final report) of human trafficking cases by the Assam Police has been recorded at 52.8 per cent.
Records further divulged that 92 victims of trafficking from the State were rescued from different parts of the country, which included 63 female and 29 male, of which 37 were minors.