Assam: 44 workers from J-K stopped by locals, handed over to officials at Tinsukia railway station

Srinagar, Nov 17: Tension briefly prevailed at Tinsukia Railway Station on Monday morning after a group of local youths detained 44 workers from Jammu and Kashmir, suspecting their movement in the area.

The incident comes at a time of heightened security concerns in Assam following recent crackdowns on illegal migrants.

According to locals, the men were questioned after being seen moving around the station premises in a large group.

“When we asked them, they said they were from Jammu and Kashmir and had come here for work. A contractor named Kadhim Ali brought them for a job in Arunachal Pradesh,” said a local youth involved in the detention. He also cited recent national security incidents as reasons for suspicion, reported news portal North East Now.

As per the report, the group informed the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP), who have since begun the verification process.

The detained individuals, however, maintained they were legitimate labourers hired for infrastructure work. “We have come for transmission line work. We will be digging for an electric tower project in Arunachal Pradesh. We are here for four months,” said Bashir Ahmed, one of the workers.

He added that most of the group members belong to Doda and Kishtwar districts of Jammu and Kashmir.