SHILLONG, May 24 — A youth allegedly trafficked to Jammu and Kashmir three years ago was rescued and brought back to Meghalaya today after a joint operation by officials from Meghalaya and Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma received the young man, his mother and a relative at Guwahati airport following his return from Kashmir.
The boy, then 16, is reported to be from Ichamati village in East Khasi Hills district. Three years ago he met a person in Shillong who promised him work in Kashmir; with the help of some local residents he was taken to Srinagar to work at a restaurant. While employed there, he was allegedly denied wages and subjected to physical and mental abuse by the restaurant owner and the owner’s son.
The rescue was triggered by a distress call to the CM Connect helpline (1971) on April 24 this year. Officials in Meghalaya say senior administrators immediately contacted their counterparts in Kashmir, and within hours a joint team — including an Assistant Labour Commissioner and members of the Anti-Human Trafficking unit in Kashmir — traced and rescued the youth from Srinagar. His pending wages were reportedly paid.
Officials described the case as an example of prompt inter-state coordination. Chief Minister Sangma said, “I am very happy that the CM Connect helpline could be of service and help save the life of an individual.” Authorities did not provide further details on any ongoing investigation or on those alleged to have trafficked or abused the youth.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/meghalaya-youth-rescued-after-3-years-of-forced-labour-in-kashmir-cm-receives-him
Category: North East,Featured
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Publish Date: 2026-05-24 10:40:00
