A total of 17 bonded labourers, primarily children under the age of 18, were rescued from two brick kilns in Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district. The rescued individuals, belonging to five families, had been held captive at the brick kilns operated by two brothers, identified as P Rajashekaran and P Karupannan, located in the foothills of Kollimalai. They were also forced to work on farms and tend cattle near the kilns.
Details of the Rescue Operation
Most of the labourers had been subjected to bonded labour for more than two years due to unpaid loans ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 60,000, borrowed from the brick kiln owners. A couple of them had been transferred from another brick kiln in a different district. The rescue operation was led by the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) along with members of SHED INDIA, an NGO. A special team was formed and inspected the site based on a tip-off from a previously released survivor.
Community and Health Impact
P Jai Edilbert, Programme Director of SHED INDIA, stated that the labourers belonged to the Irula tribal community from Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, and Krishnagiri districts. The rescued group included 10 children, one newborn, and seven adults. Following the rescue on Wednesday, the labourers underwent health check-ups. Release certificates were issued on Thursday, and they were reunited with their families on Friday morning.
Edilbert highlighted the severity of the situation: "These labourers had been in captivity for at least two years, with some families experiencing three generations of bonded labour. One case involved an 18-year-old girl from the same family who was pregnant with her second child. The RDO rescued her and admitted her to Namakkal Government Hospital, where she gave birth on Thursday morning."
Living Conditions and Monitoring
The labourers were denied basic facilities, including healthcare, and were monitored 24/7 through a 360-degree camera by the employer. There were no closed toilets, and all activities were surveilled. Although none reported physical abuse, further investigation is ongoing. Sources indicated that most of the rescued individuals suffered from malnutrition. The rescued children will be monitored with support from the district child welfare committee and referred for rehabilitation.
Legal Action
Police have booked the brick kiln owners under Sections 16, 17, and 18 of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and Section 146 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and arrested them. The authorities continue to probe the case for any additional violations.
