SHILLONG, April 9: Eight youths from Gambegre, West Garo Hills, who were duped on the pretext of providing a job and left stranded in Mumbai, were rescued and sent back to their homes.
Informing this, NCP chief and Gambegre MLA, Saleng A Sangma, said, “Around 8 to 12 from my constituency who are not even the age of 18 were taken to Mumbai on the pretext of giving them a job and now they are duped and stranded.”
On learning about the incident, Saleng said he immediately contacted the ADG, Deputy Commissioner and the resident commissioner of Meghalaya House Mumbai, who rescued the youths.
During their rescue, the security guards manning the company in question initially disallowed the officials to get through to the youths. The company has also demanded reimbursement for their food and logistics for a month, according to the MLA.
“These youths are below 18 years and this is child labour a modern slavery, one cannot force anyone to work in a company as a labour or any kind of job. It is a criminal case and I have asked our ADG to put a suo moto case so these people who are luring our people are nabbed,” he added.
He urged the state government to ensure that such miscreants are taken care of.
In this context, Sangma flagged the issue of people from outside Meghalaya arriving in the state to lure youths with job opportunities only to have them duped later. Stating that this is becoming a threat, he has requested the youths to beware of such people.
“I just want to make them aware that they should not fall in such traps, especially youths who are desperate and in need for a job. They are easily lured and duped,” he said.
It was informed that the eight youths were on their way back to the state, at the time of filing of this report.