80 migrant labourers rescued along Odisha-Andhra border

As many as 80 labourers from Narayanpatna area of Koraput were rescued at Chilibalsa gate on Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border while being taken to Andhra Pradesh.

The bus carrying the labourers was intercepted by the IRB jawans while conducting a combing operation at Chilibalsa gate on Monday night. Around 80 labourers were rescued from the bus.

They were reportedly being sent to Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur to work as migrant labourers.

“We were going to other states for work. We generally do not get any work here in Odisha. Whatever work we get here, the pay is so low that it becomes hard to manage the family. So we had decided to go to Vijayawada to work,” said a migrant worker rescued from the border.

“The police have stopped us to check the papers of the bus and permit,” the labourer added.

While the bus was stopped by the IRB jawans, no comments from the Bandhugaon police could be obtained in this connection.

As per the Odisha government report, 40,880 migrant labourers are currently working in other states. About 153 migrant workers from the state have died in other states and countries in the last three years. Out of the total, 143 Odia migrant labourers have died in other states and 10 abroad.