Hizuguri, Tinsukia, Assam – Early Monday morning, local residents near the New Tinsukia Railway Station noticed a group of 44 men acting suspiciously. The men, claiming to be from Jammu and Kashmir, had arrived by train from Amritsar via Delhi and Guwahati, carrying heavy bags and appearing uncertain, which immediately drew attention from daily wage workers and small traders familiar with the area.
Concerned about safety and proper documentation, the locals held the group and contacted the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the local police for verification.
“This incident reflects the caution Assam communities exercise when strangers arrive unexpectedly,” said a local resident who helped stop the group. “These men said they were from Jammu and Kashmir, but something felt off. We didn’t want to take chances. Families and children play nearby. It was important to alert the authorities.”
Authorities noted that while Assam welcomes workers from across India, proper verification of identity and travel papers is essential, especially in sensitive border districts of Arunachal Pradesh, where major infrastructure projects, such as power line construction, attract frequent movement of laborers.
Residents in towns like Tinsukia, where people are familiar with the regular rhythms of train arrivals and most local faces, said that a large group of strangers immediately raises concerns. Officials are now verifying the identities and travel documents of the detained men and assessing whether any further action is required.
The incident underscores the importance of community vigilance and coordination with law enforcement to maintain public safety and prevent unverified entries into sensitive regions.
