Daijiworld Media Network – Tinsukia

Tinsukia, Aug 1: In a major crackdown on human trafficking, 24 women and three minor girls were rescued from a suspected trafficking network during a joint operation by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) at the Tinsukia railway station in Assam.

The rescue took place during a routine inspection of the Vivek Express, particularly in coach S-1. Officials, upon questioning the passengers, found that the women and girls were being transported to Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu under the pretext of job placements.

The jobs were allegedly arranged by an agency named Rathinam Arumugan Research & Educational Foundation, headquartered in Coimbatore, with a branch office in Tinsukia.

Initial verification, carried out with the support of local police and the Child Helpline, revealed significant discrepancies in the group’s travel documentation. Of the 27 individuals listed as candidates for placement, only one had valid papers, raising red flags about the legitimacy of the operation and pointing to a potential case of human trafficking.

Authorities suspect that forged documents were used to facilitate the travel. Based on these findings, the RPF lodged an official complaint with the GRP. Subsequently, four individuals — both men and women — were taken into custody for questioning.

The rescued women and minors are currently under the care of local authorities and child welfare organisations. Efforts are underway to ensure their safety and facilitate their reunification with their families.