Hyderabad police strengthens anti-human trafficking and child protection with new victim assistance centre

Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand, Prajwala founder Sunitha Krishnan and senior officials from Hyderabad City Police at the launch of victim assistance centre on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Arrangement

A new Victim Assistance Unit, Telangana’s first dedicated centre aimed at providing support to survivors of human trafficking, was launched at the Central Crime Station (CCS), Hyderabad, on Tuesday.

The unit, developed in collaboration with NGO Prajwala, is designed to help victims recollect their trauma in a safe, informed environment and support them through the judicial process, including preparation for court depositions. It will also assist in linking survivors with legal aid, State-run rehabilitation schemes and psycho-social counselling for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Staff from Prajwala will operate the centre under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Women Safety Wing.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand also inaugurated newly reorganised and dedicated facilities for its Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) and Juvenile Bureau (JB) Unit.

These reorganisations follow a Government Order issued by the Home Department on April 30, 2023, which initially brought the AHTU under the Women Safety Wing. A subsequent Government Order dated April 24, 2025, formally constituted these wings with a clearly sanctioned strength of personnel.

The AHTU is staffed with eight officers, including an inspector, two sub-inspectors, two head constables, and three police constables. The unit has been tasked with identifying trafficking hotspots both online and offline, conducting rescue operations, gathering actionable intelligence, and closely monitoring the movements and networks of traffickers - including pimps, brothel operators, touts and their clientele.

In the current year alone, the AHTU has registered 23 cases, rescued 44 victims, and arrested 71 individuals involved in trafficking-related crimes. The unit is also engaged in following up trial cases and facilitating the repatriation of Indian victims as well as the deportation of foreign nationals in coordination with relevant authorities.

The Juvenile Bureau Team, also functioning as the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU), has been given a sanctioned strength of seven officers, and is based out of CCS Hyderabad. It focuses on protecting children from abuse, child labour, bonded labour and trafficking. The team works in close coordination with the Child Welfare Committee and has so far this year repatriated four children within Telangana and seven to other States. Under the ‘Operation Smile’ and ‘Operation Muskan’ drives, 896 children have been rescued to date.

Published - June 17, 2025 06:42 pm IST