Lagatar24 Network
Ranchi, Jan 7: Chief Minister Hemant Soren taking swift action, rescued five labourers from Hospet, Karnataka, after being informed about the labourers being held hostage and being forced into bonded labour on Monday last .
The CM was informed that these labourers were taken to Karnataka on the pretext of work. Upon which CM Soren directed Satyanand Bhokta, Minister for Labour, Planning, Training and Skill Development Department, Government of Jharkhand to ensure the safe return of these labourers to their homes.
The Migrant Control Room started the work of returning these migrant workers by establishing contact with the local administration as per the orders by the CM and minister Bhokta.
On Friday, all the workers were rescued from Karnataka and brought to Ranchi. Upon reaching Ranchi, all workers were sent to their native villages with the help of Gumla district administration after a corona test.
Prakash Mahto, one of the five rescued, said, ‘We went to Karnataka hoping for better work opportunities, disillusioned by an acquaintance. But there, we were made to work for 18 hours straight. We were not given our salary for one and a half months and had no food. We were beaten if we refused to work in such conditions. We thank the government for bringing us all back safely.’
The rescued workers include Prakash Mahto of Koyanjra village in Gumla, Sanju Mahto, a resident of Palkot, Sachin Gop, Rahul Gop and Mangra Khadia of Murkunda.
Another worker said, ‘We had to work in the water there for 10 hours looking for fish. Then we would sort the fish. Because of this, we were cold. At one point we started believing that we might never be able to return home, but the CM and government saved us.’
