Guwahati: Tripura Labour Minister Tinku Roy has formally requested the intervention of Arunachal Pradesh Labour Minister Nyato Dukam to secure the rescue and safe return of around 30 child labourers from Tripura’s Unakoti district who were allegedly taken to Arunachal Pradesh on false promises of employment.
In a letter to Dukam, Roy said the children, along with a few adult labourers, were taken from Rangrung Tea Garden in Unakoti district and later subjected to ill-treatment while being forced to live in inhuman conditions. He said a case has been registered at Kailashahar Police Station in connection with the incident.
According to Roy, the labourers were assured specific wages and employment benefits, but were subsequently denied their lawful entitlements. Family members of the victims have informed authorities that the children are facing physical and mental distress due to alleged abuse and substandard living conditions.
Emphasising the urgency of the situation, Roy said the families are anxiously awaiting the early and safe repatriation of the labourers and appealed for immediate intervention by the Arunachal Pradesh government.
Citing humanitarian concerns, the Tripura minister urged Dukam to extend all necessary assistance to ensure the prompt rescue and return of the labourers to their homes.
Roy also underscored that the engagement of children as labourers is strictly prohibited under existing laws and described the incident as a serious violation of human rights and human dignity.