28 bonded labourers from Irula community rescued in Kanchi

According to sources, an NGO alerted the district officials about the practice of bonded labours existing in villages like Achur and Padur in Vallakottai near Sriperumbudur. This led to the rescue of these families by Revenue Department officials.

Officials said all of them were employed as woodcutters by a local man. “They were rescued on Saturday night by a team led by Sriperumbudur tahsildar Kanchanamala and deputy tahsildar Boopalan. During the operation, the Revenue officials found that 8 men, 8 women and 12 children from 7 Irula families were engaged as bonded labourers for cutting wood. They were rescued and taken to a school nearby where they were given shelter,” an official said.

On Sunday morning, sub collector S Saravanan met the families in his office in Kancheepuram collectorate and conducted an inquiry. He later directed officials to provide basic assistance to them as per the government schemes for the rehabilitation of those rescued from bonded labour.