Why Did 44 Men From J&K Arrive With Young Boys? Assam Residents Demand Answers

A major scare unfolded at the Tinsukia Railway Junction in Assam's Tinsukia district on Monday after locals intercepted 44 individuals from Jammu and Kashmir, suspecting their movement to be suspicious.

The group, which also included minor boys, claimed they were headed to Roing in Arunachal Pradesh for tower line work under the Power Grid.

According to eyewitnesses, the men deboarded a train and were seen leaving the station premises with young boys, triggering doubts among residents. Locals immediately stopped them and informed the Tinsukia police and Government Railway Police (GRP).

Workers Claim It’s “Tower Line Work”

Speaking to media, one of the men identified himself as Md. Hussain from Doda district in Jammu division, stating:

“We are here to work for the tower line work in Roing in Arunachal Pradesh.”

Another worker said this was his first visit to Assam, adding that all 44 individuals had come from Jammu for electrical tower line work.

Locals Allege Possible Identity Fraud

A local resident expressed concern over the group’s inconsistent statements:

“They said they were going to Arunachal and then someone else said Dibrugarh. They had minors with them. We suspected they could be Pakistanis. Aadhaar cards can be fake nowadays. The administration must verify their identities.”

Disturbing Justification About the Minors

The presence of minors with the group has raised an even more troubling question.
One of the detained men shockingly admitted:

“We brought the kids to cook for us. They won’t go to the work site. They are poor boys, so we brought them to make food for the labourers.”

A Disturbing Blind Spot

Whether these men are genuine workers or not is for the police to determine — and they absolutely must verify every document and claim. But one alarming truth is already clear:

Bringing minors hundreds of kilometres away from home to work — even as cooks — is illegal, exploitative, and an outright violation of child protection laws.

The men may argue poverty, convenience, or tradition — but none of these excuses justify using children for labour in 2025. This isn’t just a suspicion case; it is a child rights issue in plain sight.

What Happens Next

Meanwhile, the Tinsukia Police have begun verifying identities, travel documents, and employment details. The presence of minors will likely invite action under child labour and trafficking laws, depending on the investigation’s outcome.

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