Odia labourers tortured in AP: Seven more workers rescued, brought back

Sundergarh: Seven other Odia labourers including three women who were detained by a brick kiln owner in Vizianagaram of Andhra Pradesh were rescued and brought back to Odisha after intervention of the State Labour department.

Five among the rescued labourers are from Sundergarh district while the other two are residents of Bargarh district.

Officials of the labour department interrogated the rescued labourers to elicit more information on the allegations of torture on them by the brick kiln owner.

Sources said, the labourers complained of sustaining branding injuries on their body after five labourers escaped the brick kiln five days ago, however they denied the reports on chopping off finger of one of their co-workers.

Reportedly, 12 labourers of Burta village of Sundergarh district and two from Bhatli of Bargarh district had gone to work at Srisai Manikant brick kiln in Vizianagaram of AP.

The workers alleged that the owner made them work for two months but did not pay them salary. When they asked for their dues, the owner allegedly poured acid on one of them and chopped the finger of another.

Unable to bear the trauma, five labourers including the acid attack victim managed to escape and reach their villages on Monday.

After the matter came to light, district administration and State labour department contacted the Andhra Pradesh Labour Commission following which the labourers were rescued with the assistance of Interstate Migrant Workmen Cell. Further investigation into the incident is underway.