For Safe Rescue of abducted 24 Youths: Tripura Appeals to Arunachal Leaders
Agartala/Kailashahar Dec 23: The Tripura government has stepped up political and administrative efforts to ensure the safe rescue of 24 youths, including seven minors, who were allegedly lured from Kailashahar and taken to an unidentified location in Arunachal Pradesh under the pretext of employment.
With growing concern over the condition of the victims, Labour Minister Tinku Roy has taken direct intervention in the matter, reaching out to his counterpart in Arunachal Pradesh and senior political leaders to expedite their recovery. Official sources said the move reflects the state government’s resolve to protect vulnerable workers and prevent labour exploitation across state borders.
According to officials, Minister Roy has written a formal letter to Arunachal Pradesh Minister Nayto Dukam, urging immediate assistance and cooperation in locating and safely rescuing the stranded youths. The letter reportedly highlights the serious allegations of exploitation, inhuman working conditions and the presence of minors among the victims, making the issue a matter of urgent humanitarian concern.
Apart from written communication, the Tripura Labour Minister also personally contacted senior BJP leaders in Arunachal Pradesh, seeking their intervention at the political and administrative levels. The objective, sources said, is to ensure swift coordination between local authorities, law enforcement agencies and district administrations in Arunachal Pradesh to trace the exact location of the victims and facilitate their return.
The government’s political outreach comes amid mounting pressure from distressed families in Kailashahar, particularly from Rangrung village, where most of the youths belong to tea garden worker families. Family members have alleged that the youths were misled by false promises of good wages, free accommodation and improved living conditions, only to end up in exploitative circumstances.
Officials indicated that the involvement of the Labour Minister underscores the seriousness with which the Tripura government is treating the case, especially given the alleged trafficking of minors and violation of labour laws. The state government is also expected to review mechanisms for monitoring labour recruitment to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, the Kailashahar police have reportedly traced the location of the youths to Arunachal Pradesh and are coordinating with their counterparts there. However, authorities maintain that political-level intervention is crucial to overcome inter-state logistical challenges and ensure faster action on the ground.
The case has once again brought focus on the vulnerability of economically weaker sections, particularly tea garden workers, to employment-related fraud and exploitation. The Tripura government has assured that it will pursue the matter until the youths are rescued and safely reunited with their families.
Further developments are awaited as inter-state coordination and political engagement continue to intensify in the coming days.