Reported by Farhana Ahmed
North Lakhimpur: Six minor boys were rescued at the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border after they were allegedly being trafficked for construction work in Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting concerns over child labour and trafficking on the eve of World Day Against Child Labour.
The minors, along with an adult, were rescued by members of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parichad (AJYCP) at Ruksin Gate near Murkongselek while they were waiting for Inner Line Permit (ILP) passes to enter Arunachal Pradesh.
According to AJYCP leader Gyan Sarma, who led the operation, the group arrived at Murkongselek railway station on the 15613 Guwahati-Murkongselek Lachit Express at around 8.30 am on June 11. The minors were allegedly brought from Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar and Barpeta districts by traffickers and were being taken to a construction site in Arunachal Pradesh.
The rescued boys reportedly told AJYCP members that they had been promised daily wages of Rs 500 for masonry work. Sarma said the minors were unable to provide clear details about their home addresses.
He further alleged that traffickers regularly use the Lachit Express route to transport workers from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh via Murkongselek.
The incident comes days after seven youths from Assam’s Sadiya were rescued from a construction site linked to the Lower Dibang Hydroelectric Project in Roing, Arunachal Pradesh, where they allegedly faced starvation, physical abuse and inhuman working conditions.
The latest rescue has renewed concerns over the trafficking of children and vulnerable workers for labour in Arunachal Pradesh. Activists alleged that many victims are subjected to exploitative working conditions, irregular wages and physical abuse.
Observed annually on June 12, World Day Against Child Labour this year carries the theme: “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.”
The issue was also discussed at the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour held in Marrakech in February, which adopted the Marrakech Global Framework for Action against Child Labour, aimed at strengthening efforts to address the root causes of child labour and protect children’s rights.