MEA Confirms Safe Repatriation of 27 Indians Trafficked Under False Overseas Job Promises

After weeks of anguish and limited communication, 27 Indian citizens from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were safely repatriated to New Delhi on Saturday following a successful rescue operation from Myanmar. The individuals had been trafficked under the pretext of lucrative overseas job opportunities, primarily promised in Thailand, before being forcibly relocated to the volatile Myanmar border region where they were compelled to participate in cyber scam activities.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the group's arrival in India, with the rescued citizens now en route to reunite with their families in their home states. The breakthrough came after Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu personally intervened, writing to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to request urgent diplomatic action for their release. In his letter, Naidu outlined how the victims' passports were confiscated upon arrival, followed by threats and coercion that forced them into illegal online fraud operations.

The rescue process involved sustained diplomatic efforts through the Indian Embassy in Yangon, coordinated with Myanmar authorities and partner agencies. Officials noted that the operation was complicated by the unstable security environment in parts of Myanmar, including regions not fully controlled by the central government. Despite these obstacles, effective collaboration ensured the safe evacuation of all 27 individuals without incident.

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Families of the victims had earlier reported their sons missing after contact became sporadic and the young men expressed fear of reprisals if they refused to comply with their captors' demands. Many had approached local authorities and elected representatives seeking help, highlighting the desperation caused by the sudden loss of communication and the alarming details that emerged from brief phone conversations.

With the successful return of the 27 citizens, authorities have shifted focus to providing necessary rehabilitation support and launching a thorough investigation into the cross-border trafficking networks responsible. Officials have reiterated strong warnings to job seekers across the country to exercise extreme caution and verify all overseas employment offers, especially those routed through informal agents or unverified channels.

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