Ten bonded labourers, including six women, in the age group of 20-50, kept in bondage for the last five years were rescued from Rendadi village in Walajapet taluk on Monday.
Dr. Priyadarshini, Revenue Divisional Officer, Ranipet told The Hindu that on information from the Adivasi Solidarity Council, a non-governmental organisation based in Ambur, she deputed Ravichandran, Tahsildar, Walajapet, and other revenue officials to the village, make enquiries and rescue them. They were rescued and brought to the taluk office in Walajapet, where they have been accommodated temporarily.
The RDO said enquiries revealed that Masilamani, the employer did not allow them to go elsewhere to work for the last five years.
He used to take them to difference places in the taluk for tree felling. If there were two or three persons in a family, he would retain one family member and make others run errand. Dr. Priyadarshini said initially a sum of Rs.1,000 (out of the total rehabilitation fund of Rs.20,000) and a release certificate would be given to each worker on Tuesday. Later, the balance amount of Rs.19,000 would be given. The Revenue department would work in association with the NGO to ensure that the workers did not go back to bondage. The department would discuss with the NGO representatives on how they could be rehabilitated, she said.
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