Though the Odisha government is claiming to have initiated various programmes to encourage workers not to go outside the State to earn a livelihood, frequent reports of migrant labourers being rescued at different places in Bolangir district have now become a matter of concern.
In a recent development, as many as 30 migrant workers were rescued in the area on Saturday night.
As per reports, the migrant workers including 21 men, nine women, and four children were rescued at Kantabanji railway station while they were waiting to board the train. The migrant workers are the residents of Belapada, Patnagarh, and Deogaon areas.
Kantabanjhi police have detained three middlemen in this connection and one SUV was seized. They are being questioned in connection with the incident.
Acting on input from reliable sources, Kantabanjhi police rescued the migrant workers at the railway station. After questioning them it was revealed that they don’t have any valid documents and they were illegally transported outside the State to work as migrant workers.
“We don’t have enough opportunities for work in our area. Whenever we are getting any opportunity, we are not getting our payment for months together. That is why we are forced to migrate outside the State to earn a livelihood,” said a migrant worker.
However, no comments could be obtained from police in this regard.