Stories of Horror Emerge as 140 Forced Labourers Rescued

Hyderabad: Over the past week, Telangana has seen three cases where forced labourers were rescued, laying bare what can be called the persistence of slavery in modern society. A total of 140 people were freed from a brick kiln, a cattle shed, and a hidden fishing site.

Local authorities led the rescue operations with support from NGOs. “It proves a point that bonded labour and trafficking for labour still exist,” said Phillips Isadore, convenor of Swecha Gamanam. “The issue remains invisible, clouded in the larger debate around safe migration.”

The largest rescue was in Keesara, Medchal-Malkajgiri district, where 100 Odia labourers had been confined in a brick kiln since October. They were receiving less than Rs.400 a week and were not allowed to move freely. Only one family member could visit the market weekly but always under watch. Those who tried to escape were assaulted or forced to return. The rescue began after one injured worker managed to contact officials in Odisha. Telangana authorities responded quickly and they are currently arranging rehabilitation.

In Nagarkurnool, a tribal man named Lalu (name changed) was rescued after 20 years in bonded labour. He had come to cut bamboo but was abandoned by his group. A local man exploited him without pay, kept him under watch and beat him when he tried to leave. “He tried to return home once or twice, but was beaten and brought back,” said a member of the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD). Lalu lost contact with his family. His wife and son have died, though he is unaware. He has now spoken to his nephew, and officials are preparing for his repatriation. “We haven’t told him about his family’s death yet. It will be done gradually with counselling,” the FSD member said.

A third rescue, also in Nagarkurnool, involved 39 men from twelve different states who were trafficked to work at a fishing site near Malleswaram village. The employers had seized their phones. They lived in temporary shelters with no pay for months. Some had been there for over eight months. A missing persons complaint in Andhra Pradesh triggered the rescue. NGOs and Labour India Helpline helped coordinate the operation. “The government issued letters to all twelve states and deputed officials to repatriate the workers. Many of them are travelling back now,” said the FSD representative. All 39 individuals have received release certificates.

Bhansilal Bhukya, the revenue divisional officer of Kollapur, confirmed that 38 out of the 39 rescued workers have been sent home already. One person had already escaped before the operation.“We received information from the National Adivasi Solidarity Council and acted immediately,” he said. The workers had been held for durations ranging from weeks to several months.

Phillips Isadore described these conditions as modern slavery. “We assume the victim is responsible for his own safety, but this is about total deprivation, no wages, no freedom, no dignity. It is slavery, and we should call it what it is. As a society, we cannot sit and negotiate with people who treat human beings like this.” While appreciating the officials' response, he added that structural change was essential. “This will keep happening unless we see social rejection of these practices and coordinated planning across departments.”

Activists say rescues often occur only after public complaints or media reports. There is no formal action plan or inter-state protocol for bonded labour rescues and repatriation. Many victims do not receive release certificates, cutting them off from rehabilitation schemes. District officials lack training to conduct inspections or follow procedures. Meanwhile, traffickers continue to operate across state lines without fear of consequences.