The Vijayanagar district administration has rescued 37 workers from Odisha who were working in conditions akin to bonded labour at Nandibandi village in Mariyammanahalli hobli of the district.
The rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday following credible information provided by a Belagavi-based NGO, Spandana.
Acting under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Kavitha S. Mannikeri, a team led by Assistant Commissioner Vivekananda raided the premises at Nandibandi village and rescued the workers.
Officials said that they rescued 10 children, 11 women and 16 men, all belonging to Balangir and Nabarangpur districts of Odisha. They were living in cramped four-foot-wide makeshift houses without even basic facilities, they said.
Rescued workers from Odisha waiting at Hosapete Railway Station on Thursday to board a train for their native villages. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
According to statement given by the workers, they were brought from Odisha about six months ago after being paid an advance of ₹40,000 each. They said that they were initially promised employment for six months with wages based on the work performed.
However, despite working throughout the week under strenuous conditions, entire families were paid only ₹500 per week. When the workers reportedly expressed their desire to return home after the completion of the agreed period, they were threatened and told that they cannot leave as they took advance money.
The workers also said that security guards were deployed to prevent them from contacting the outside world or escaping from the site.
Ms. Mannikeri described the incident as “extremely shocking” and said that an FIR has already been registered at Mariyammanahalli Police Station against those supporting and operating the bonded labour system.
She said that strict legal action will be taken against the accused.
Officials said that the rescued workers expressed relief after being freed from exploitation. The district administration also arranged for their safe return to their native villages by train on Thursday.
Two police personnel and two Revenue Department officials were also deputed to accompany the workers to ensure their safety during travel.
The Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police S. Jahnavi personally supervised arrangements for their journey.
Ms. Jahnavi, Deputy Superintendent of Police P. Muralidhara and several district-level officials from various departments were present during the operation.