In a dramatic turn of events, around 300 young men and women, predominantly from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who were lured to Cambodia under false pretenses and forced into cybercrime syndicates, revolted against their captors on Monday. The protest, which took place in Sihanoukville, a coastal city known for being a hub of cybercrime activities, has led to the imprisonment of many of the protesting youths.

Vizag Police Commissioner A. Ravi Shankar confirmed that the protests erupted when the captives, frustrated and desperate, rose against their handlers. “The youngsters managed to call the Vizag police and sent videos documenting their protests,” Shankar said.

In response to the crisis, the Andhra Pradesh police have reached out to the Bureau of Immigration, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and other central authorities to secure the safe return of the youths. “We have formed seven special teams to investigate the entire human trafficking operation,” added Commissioner Shankar.

The Vizag police had already been making headway in dismantling the trafficking network. Recently, they uncovered the racket and arrested three agents involved in deceiving and sending these young individuals to Cambodia.

The videos sent by the youths showed harrowing conditions and highlighted the extent of their exploitation. Many of them were promised legitimate jobs but were instead coerced into working for cybercrime syndicates, where they were subjected to harsh conditions and constant surveillance.

 

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