Kids among bonded labourers rescued in Erode

They claimed that they came from Panruti to work in the brick manufacturing unit on receiving an advance payment. The labourers alleged that they weren’t allowed to go home and were forced to work for long hours.

The revenue officials rescued a total of 11 persons including Siva Kumar (34), his wife Kasthuri (24), Mani ( 55), his wife Vasantha (48) and children. Officials said that after a medical check, they would be taken to Cuddalore and handed over to the district administration there.

Meanwhile, 16 bonded labourers from Odisha have been rescued from a brick kiln at Santhanur village near Tiruvaiyaru in Tiruchy, in a surprise raid, conducted jointly by the District Legal Aids Authority, Anti-human Trafficking Wing of the police and various departments, including Revenue and Health.

They included two women. Immediately after the rescue, they were provided food and first-aid. Later, as per the instruction from the RDO, all the labourers were sent back to Odisha on Thursday night.