Shortly after landing in Tamil Nadu for work, 6 men from Jharkhand abducted, families get video calls with gun to their head
In a shocking incident that highlights the risks migrant labourers face, six young men from Jharkhand were abducted shortly after they reached Tamil Nadu for work. Their families, still in disbelief, received disturbing WhatsApp video calls. The footage showed the workers on their knees, with firearms pointed at their heads.
All six victims had travelled from Giridih and Hazaribagh districts in search of better-paying jobs. Local agents had arranged their travel and employment. What began as a hopeful journey soon spiraled into a terrifying nightmare.
Video Calls Spread Panic Across Two States
Just two days after their arrival, the men’s families began receiving frantic video calls. The scenes were deeply unsettling. Masked captors stood behind the workers, brandishing guns. The victims sobbed as they begged for help.
One woman from Giridih, the sister of a kidnapped man, described the traumatic moment:
“My brother was crying. A gun was at his head. He kept saying, ‘Please save us. Please tell someone.’ We didn’t know who to contact.”
These shocking videos quickly spread through local networks and reached the attention of state authorities. As fear gripped the families, the urgency for action increased.
Quick Response from Families and State Governments
Relatives of the missing men immediately filed complaints at nearby police stations. They also reached out to Jharkhand’s Chief Minister through social media and helplines. Within hours, the Jharkhand government initiated contact with Tamil Nadu authorities to begin a coordinated rescue effort.
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu police launched an investigation. Special teams were deployed to track the locations of the video calls using mobile tower data. Officers believe the abductors may have taken the men to an industrial zone outside a major city.
A senior Tamil Nadu police officer stated:
“We’re pursuing several leads. We’ve identified potential hideouts and are narrowing the search zones. Cybercrime teams are helping us trace the call origins.”
Furthermore, law enforcement is looking into whether a known criminal group might be behind the abduction. Authorities suspect the motive could involve ransom or forced labour.
Migrant Workers at Constant Risk
This tragic incident has once again exposed the dangers that migrant workers face in unfamiliar states. Every year, thousands of men from Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha migrate to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra. While they chase better wages, many become victims of trafficking, abuse, and illegal confinement.
Most of these workers rely on unregistered contractors. They travel without formal agreements, identity verification, or any safety measures. As a result, when something goes wrong, they’re nearly impossible to trace.
Labour rights advocate Arun Mandal explained:
“There’s no database tracking interstate migrant workers. If they disappear, no one even notices. Contractors vanish, and families are left helpless.”
According to Mandal, systemic neglect and poor inter-state coordination have allowed such incidents to grow unchecked.
Governments Promise Swift Action
Both Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu governments have assured the families that they are doing everything possible. Officials in Ranchi said they are in constant touch with police in Tamil Nadu. They’ve also dispatched a liaison officer to Chennai to monitor the case on-site.
A spokesperson for the Jharkhand CM said:
“This is a top priority. We’re working closely with Tamil Nadu police and central agencies. Our goal is to bring all six men back home safely.”
Tamil Nadu officials have echoed this sentiment. They’ve increased surveillance in areas where forced labour is known to occur and are questioning known offenders.
Importantly, both states are now discussing whether to introduce stronger coordination systems for tracking migrant workers in the future.
Public Reaction: Anger and Demands for Reform
As news of the abduction spread, social media exploded with outrage. Hashtags such as #SaveJharkhandWorkers, #MigrantLivesMatter, and #TamilNaduKidnap began trending on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Citizens demanded not just rescue efforts but long-term policy changes.
Many called for mandatory registration of all migrant workers at the state level. Others urged the Labour Ministry to regulate inter-state job placements more strictly.
One user wrote:
“How can six men just vanish days after arriving for work? Who checks these contractors? Who tracks these workers?”
Clearly, the public wants answers—and reforms.
Families Wait in Fear and Hope
Back in Jharkhand, the families of the abducted men remain sleepless and anxious. Many of them rely on daily wages and had borrowed money to send their relatives to Tamil Nadu. Now, their only hope is that their loved ones return alive.
“We don’t want compensation or politics,” said the father of one of the victims. “We just want our son back home. Alive.”
Their pain reflects a larger issue—how poorly India protects its invisible workforce. Until reforms are implemented and labour movement is regulated, migrant workers will remain vulnerable targets.
Conclusion
The kidnapping of six migrant labourers from Jharkhand has exposed critical flaws in how India manages labour migration. Although authorities have begun rescue efforts, the broader crisis remains: thousands of workers move across states each week without basic protections. Unless stronger monitoring, accountability, and safety protocols are introduced, such tragedies will continue to haunt working-class families across India.
