Koraput: As many as 18 tribal girls from Narayanpatna area of Koraput have been allegedly held captive by the owner of a brick kiln in Hyderabad.
According to sources, all the girls hail from Pipalpada panchayat who had gone to Hyderabad where they were engaged as bonded labourers at the kiln.
The labourers have alleged that they are being abused, denied leave and salary. Even their family members are not being allowed to meet them.
Family members have now sought help from the district administration to make arrangements for their safe return to home.
Earlier on December 18, as many as 12 bonded labourers of Hemagiri area in Sundergarh had managed to escape from a brick kiln in Vizianagaram of Andhra Pradesh. The workers alleged that the owner used to thrash them whenever they asked for salary.