KARNATAKA: A total of 34 people including 23 men, eight women and three children, who were treated as bonded labour, were rescued from Chikodi Taluk in Belgaum district in Karnataka.
The accused, Rangaiah, who hired them by paying Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 in advance is yet to be caught by the police.
All of them who were rescued were SCs and STs (including Chenchus), from various villages in Nagakurnool and Mahbubnagar districts.
Members of National Adivasi Solidarity Council, International Justice Mission, said that the rescued are under protection of police in Chikodi and hope to start to their natives places on Monday evening.
Kanchukatla Subash, members of Rescue Team of National Adivasi Solidarity Council (NASC), alleged that Rangaiah did not pay any money to rescue the people after luring them with advance and made them work for 15 days at a stretch. “They were given break after 15-days. Money was not paid while laying roads. Only food was provided to them. The people were forced to work even when they fell sick,” alleged Subash.
Among those who were hired and taken to Chikodi, Belgaum, two married couples escaped from the clutches of the sub-contractor. “We received information that they started walking to home at Atchampet and are safe. They are Chechus, so they do not hesitate from walking long distances,” Subash said.