The Delhi Eastern Nagaland Students’ Union (DENSU) has brought to light a humanitarian intervention that led to the rescue and safe return of 32 individuals from Eastern Nagaland who had been stranded in Uttarakhand under what DENSU described as “exploitative conditions.”
In a public statement, DENSU said the individuals were “without money, deprived of proper food, visibly fatigued, and some showing signs of malnourishment.” The union said their “physical and emotional state reflected the extreme hardship they had endured for weeks without adequate support or resources.”
Originally promised employment as road construction workers in Maharashtra, the group was instead taken to Lapthal in Uttarakhand. According to DENSU, “Since March 21, 2025, they remained in isolated and harsh conditions, not allowed to work citing lack of proper documentations, without wages and with minimal support.”
The 32 individuals hailed from several villages in Eastern Nagaland: “9 from Tangnyu, 16 from Longwa, 5 from Phomching, and 1 each from Nokyan and Yuching.” Misled and left stranded, the group arrived in Delhi on May 9, where they reached out to DENSU for help.
DENSU immediately initiated an emergency response upon learning of their plight. “Temporary shelter and assistance, fooding with the help of Nagaland House Office were arranged at Nagaland House, New Delhi,” the union stated. “Basic necessities such as food, water, and safe accommodation were provided.”
Their return journey to Nagaland was swiftly coordinated. “Their transport back to Nagaland via Guwahati by Brahmaputra Mail was facilitated, with train tickets that was scheduled for the same day they arrived at Delhi (May 9, 2025, at 11:40 PM).”
Noting that the stranded individuals were “mostly first-timers away from their villages, unfamiliar with the city, its language, and how things functioned here,” DENSU said its executives “had to personally assist them, ensuring their safe departure.” The union added, “With a large group of 32 people, the executives helped them navigate the transport process, making sure they reached the correct platform at Old Delhi Railway Station and boarded the right compartment.”
DENSU expressed gratitude to those who made the rescue and repatriation possible. “This effort would not have been possible without the timely help and coordination from various esteemed individuals from our community and institutions,” the union said, lauding their “unwavering commitment and foresight.”
Those acknowledged include: Wennyei Konyak, NCS, Deputy Commissioner, Mon, Nagaland; Sharon Longchari, NCS, Joint Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, New Delhi; Loipong Konyak, Senior Advisor, DENSU; Dr Hentok Phom, Joint Director, Health & Family Welfare and Consultant for Naga Patients, Nagaland House, New Delhi & Senior Advisor, DENSU.
DENSU also thanked Kheizo from the Nagaland House Kitchen “for generously providing extra food at no cost” and Abel Sumi for his assistance.
