The mastermind of a child trafficking racket, Peter Sona, was arrested from the Phillobari area under Phillobari police station in Tinsukia on Wednesday. He is suspected of trafficking at least half a dozen children from tea gardens to neighboring Arunachal Pradesh. Police said Peter was hiding in Pengree before being apprehended.
According to officials, Peter went into hiding after his accomplices were arrested recently in Duarmara Singpo village while attempting to abduct a minor. Dipak Phukan was caught by villagers and handed over to police. Following his interrogation, five more individuals involved in human trafficking were arrested.
The arrested accomplices include Umakanta Chetri, Boby Deori Sona, Rohit Khadal, Peter Sabashi, and Ajit Munda. Peter Sona, the main mastermind, had been absconding until his capture.
Police sources said Peter Sona exploited his former position as an Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association (ATTSA) leader to manipulate poor tea garden families. “He took children from Adivasi families and sold them in Arunachal Pradesh, claiming he was an ATTSA leader,” said a source. His arrest is expected to help police uncover the main network behind the trafficking racket.
ATTSA leaders condemned Peter Sona’s actions, stating, “The poor Adivasi people were trapped by him. We demand strict punishment for his crimes.”
Officer-in-charge of Phillobari police station, Ajit Sonowal, confirmed the arrest and said earlier six persons linked to the racket had been detained. Police also seized a vehicle, registration number AS23AF5952, which was used by traffickers to transport the children. Peter Sona was driving the vehicle and was actively involved in the operations.
