Terror of Human Trafficking: A study of Assamese Contemporary Legends

Abstract

This study examines legends circulating in Assam, Northeast India, particularly those
which deal with thefts, frauds, scams, murders, kidnapping, and drug violations that have
become a threat to the people of Assam. It has resulted in the introduction of numerous
contemporary legends based on crimes such as human trafficking are circulating in Assam.
In this paper, I assess the incidences of human trafficking in Assam to evaluate whether these
locally formed contemporary legends reflect reality. Secondly, I discuss how this social problem of
human trafficking of Assam reflects some concepts drawn from the discipline of oral narratives.
Finally, an attempt is made to understand Assamese contemporary legend as a product of social
strain and the response to thatstrain