Agartala, December 30, 2025: Kailashahar witnessed a major rescue operation on Monday evening as 45 missing workers from Rangrung and Kailashahar tea garden areas were brought back safely after being trafficked to Arunachal Pradesh under false promises of employment.

Unakoti district Superintendent of Police (SP) Sudhambika R said that three families from the tea garden region had lodged an FIR on December 23, reporting that 24 youths had gone missing since December 09. Acting on the complaint, police tracked mobile locations and confirmed the group’s presence in Arunachal Pradesh. A joint operation by police and the labour department successfully rescued not only the 24 youths but a total of 45 workers.

Police sources revealed that the workers were lured with promises of jobs in orange collection. Instead, they were subjected to severe physical and mental abuse by contractors. The rescued youths alleged that they endured harsh exploitation and mistreatment during their time away.

Following the complaint, Minister Tinku Roy initiated a coordinated effort involving both police and labour officials. Labour officer Tanmoy Barua informed the media that on December 25, a five-member team including two labour officials and a police sub-inspector traveled to Arunachal Pradesh. From Boleng police station area, 26 workers, including five minors were rescued. From Dampiouz police station area, another 19 workers including five minors were freed.

All 45 were brought back to Kailashahar police station. Among them were 11 youths from North Tripura district, who are being sent home via Dharmanagar police station.

This evening, Minister Tinku Roy visited Kailashahar police station to meet the rescued youths and their families. He praised the role of Unakoti police and the Kailashahar police station in the successful operation. Families expressed gratitude to the administration and the minister for ensuring the safe return of their loved ones.

Investigations have revealed that on December 9, a trafficking racket exploited the vulnerability of poor families in Chandipur block’s tea garden areas, taking 24 youths to another state under the guise of employment. Though Meghalaya was initially suspected, police confirmed the group’s location in Arunachal Pradesh through mobile tracking.

Authorities have now launched a probe into the trafficking network, with demands growing for strict action against those involved in exploiting workers under false pretenses.