Meghalaya Youth Rescued from Human Trafficking in Kashmir
Rescue Operation for Trafficked Youth
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma welcomed the rescued youth and his family at Guwahati airport.
SHILLONG, May 24: A young man, who was reportedly a victim of human trafficking, has been successfully rescued and returned to Meghalaya following a collaborative effort between officials from Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir.
In a heartwarming reception, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma greeted the youth, his mother, and a relative upon their arrival at Guwahati airport after their journey from Kashmir.
The individual had been trafficked to Jammu and Kashmir three years ago at the age of 16, where he was coerced into working at a restaurant. Originating from the remote village of Ichamati in the East Khasi Hills district, he endured harsh and abusive working conditions in Srinagar without receiving any payment.
Three years prior, the boy was lured by an acquaintance in Meghalaya who assured him of a job opportunity in Kashmir. He was subsequently taken to a restaurant in Srinagar with the assistance of local residents.
While employed there, he faced severe exploitation, including the denial of wages and physical and psychological abuse from the restaurant owner and his son.
The rescue operation was initiated after a distress call regarding his situation was made to the CM Connect helpline on April 24. Upon receiving the alert, senior officials promptly reached out to their counterparts in Kashmir.
“The inter-State coordination efforts proved effective, as a joint team, including an Assistant Labour Commissioner and members of the Anti-Human Trafficking unit in Kashmir, located and rescued him from Srinagar within hours,” officials reported. The youth's outstanding wages were also settled.
Chief Minister Sangma expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I am delighted that the CM Connect helpline was able to assist and save an individual's life.”