[25] POLICY GAPS AND LEGAL REMEDIES: STRENGTHENING ANTI-TRAFFICKING MEASURES AT THE INDOBANGLADESH BORDER
ARTICLE INFO: Date of Submission: April 02, 2026, Revised: Apr 14, 2026, Accepted: Apr 16, 2026, CrossRef d.o.i : https://doi.org/10.56815/ijmrr.v5i4.2026.305-314. How to Cite the Article: Bickey Prasad & Pranita Choudhury (2026). Policy Gaps and Legal Remedies: Strengthening Anti-Trafficking Measures at The Indo-Bangladesh Border. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews. 5(4), 305-319.
Abstract
Human trafficking continues to pose a rampant issue at the Indo-Bangladesh border, as porous boundaries, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and weak enforcement result in a flourishing illegal trade in human beings. Yet despite concerted efforts by both India and Bangladesh, severe policy lacunae and execution failures remain that allow traffickers to take advantage of legal loopholes for their lack of prosecution. This article offers a critical review of the current anti-trafficking regimes in both countries, and it identifies shortcomings in law enforcement, victim identification, transnational collaboration, and victim-centred protection strategies. The article, relying on comparative case studies of good anti-trafficking measures in the US and Germany, highlights the need to introduce complete legal solutions and best practices for the context of Indo-Bangladesh. The findings show that the higher developed countries have introduced high-end surveillance systems and holistic victim assistance mechanisms, along with interfacing with the inter-agencycoordination, while the Indo-Bangladesh region still faces the challenge of fragmented and less resource-rich policies. Specific recommendations within the article are as follows: legislative reforms, collaboration in bilateral cooperation, community advocacy, and enhancing law enforcement agency capacity. Finally, these policy gaps must be filled for prevention, protection, and prosecution of human trafficking to be successful in combating one of South Asia’s most vulnerable frontiers. Results add to the evidence for policymakers, law enforcement officials, and the broader civil society organisations who wish to strengthen the anti-trafficking and human rights provisions on the Indo-Bangladesh border.
