Chennai: Based on a tip-off received from the Vellore Released Bonded Labourers Association (RBLA), a team led by Ranipet sub-collector Elambahavath rescued five bonded labourers including two children from a brick kiln unit in Ranipet on Thursday. Preliminary investigation revealed that the five collectively received an advance amount of Rs 55,000 and had been working at the brick kiln for almost over a year now. They also reportedly suffered verbal abuse at the hands of the owner. The rescued labourers are currently being enquired at the Ranipet sub-collector's office and release certificates are expected to be issued shortly. An FIR is yet to be filed against the owner of the brick kiln.
In a similar rescue operation, four bonded labourers, Dhiraj Kumar (15), Sonu Kumar (15), Siva Shanker (15) and Santhosh Kumar (23) were rescued from a pani puri unit at no.18, Sababathy street at Ayanavaram.
All four boys reportedly hail from Bihar. Incidentally, the owner of the shop, Ajith Kumar (35) is also from Bihar. "The families of the boys received a sum of Rs 25,000 from the owner. Some of them have been working here for over six months and others for around one or two months," said S.Prabakar, co-ordinator, coalition to end human trafficking, Tamil Nadu, who was part of the rescue operation. The four boys were made to work for 12 hours every day from morning six am. They were reportedly not paid any salary, except for 500 rupees in cash every month. The three boys under 18 years of age, have been sent to the Government Children’s Home for Boys, Royapuram. Release certificates will be issued by the South Chennai RDO after ascertaining the right age of the rescued victims.
