33 Youths From Nagaland Trapped In “Cyber Slavery” Rackets, Police Issues Advisory

The Nagaland Police has issued an urgent advisory, following reports that 33 individuals from the state are among thousands of Indians feared trapped in forced cybercrime operations in Southeast Asian countries.

The advisory comes after the Bureau of Immigration under the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs directed states and union territories to carry out investigations on individuals who had travelled to the region but have not returned, amid allegations that some of these individuals have been trapped in “cyber slavery” rackets.

Citing media reports, the police stated that a large number of Indians, including 33 from Nagaland, were reportedly “lured into Southeast Asian countries by promising of high paying jobs. However, it stated that those lured are only “trapped” in what has been described as “Cyber Slavery”.

Moreover, the police are urging families who have lost contact with those who traveled to these countries to come forward for assistance. A helpline has been set up to assist those in need.

Notably, the Bureau of Immigration has revealed that of the 73,138 Indians who travelled to Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam between January 2022 and May 2024, nearly 30,000 have yet to return. Other Northeastern states are also experiencing similar issues, with reports of missing persons: 38 from Manipur, 92 from Assam, 20 from Sikkim, 18 from Meghalaya, 14 from Mizoram, 12 from Tripura, and 6 from Arunachal Pradesh.

The majority of those missing are young individuals, with over half falling within the 20-39 age group who had travelled between January 2022 and May 2024, highlighting a pressing need for awareness and intervention to combat this growing threat.

Also read: Nagaland: After NSCN-IM, Global Naga Forum Raises Concerns Over RIIN