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BHUBANESWAR | Friday, May 28, 2010 | Email | Print |  Two labourers rescued from AP brick kiln Sudhir Mishra | Balangir The two migrant labourers — Sameer and Liabani, both 16 years old, of Kharkara in Sarmuhan panchayat of Belpada block in Balangir district, who were held hostage by a brick-kiln owner of Andhra Pradesh — were rescued by a team of Action Aid officials from Hyderabad on Wednesday after the news was first published in The Pioneer on May 22. It may be noted that seven members of Bharat Das’ family of Kharkara had migrated to work in brick kilns of Andhra Pradesh in October 2009. They are Bharat Das (32), his wife Rukamani Das (28), daughter Kajol, her mother-in-law Sabitri, brother Sameer and two relatives Malti and Laibani (16). According to reports, they had taken an advance of Rs 38,000 from a sardar (labour contractor) of Karlimal village, who had taken them to the Gangapur area of Paidaplli station near Hyderabad. After working for a few days there, Malti developed stomach pain and she was checked up by a local doctor, who prescribed some medicines that did not provide much relief. The brick kiln owner would insist on eating four to five tablets at a time which raised suspicions. However, as Malti’s pain continued, she was further checked in a nearby town. Her blood and other tests revealed that she had tumour in her stomach, for which the doctor prescribed her some medicines. The owner of brick-kiln sent all the family members except Sameer and Laibani to their village. More than a month passed, but the two were yet to return. According to reports, Laibani telephoned her uncle Bharat Das to take her back as she feared threat to her life and dignity. “We informed the matter to local SP and District Labour Officer,” said a villager. (After publication of the news in The Pioneer, Premananda Mishra and other representatives of Samuhik Marudi Pratikar Udyam, Balangir (SMPU-B), took Bharat to the SP of Balangir and requested for his intervention. SP Ajay Sarangi directed the Inspector-in-Charge of Belpada police station to locate the sardar, Karna Podha of Karlimal village, to expedite release of the migrants. The Assistant Labour Officer also talked to the brick kiln owner Sammaiah and asked him to release the hostages immediately. He also called president of brick kiln owners’ association Prasad of Hyderabad to look into the matter. Prasad assured to inform and let him talk with the hostages. The Assistant Labour Officer promised Bharat to take action by Tuesday. Regional Manager of Action Aid in Bhubaneswar Amar Jyoti Nayak immediately forwarded the news published in The Pioneer to its Hyderabad Action Aid office to take necessary action to rescue them. The Action Aid office in Hyderabad took up the issue and a team official, led by Rajshekhar, went out to trace the migrant labourers held hostage. Finally, Laibani Das and Sameer Das were traced out at Gangapur near Manthini of Karimnagar district, 274 km away from Hyderabad, and rescued. According to the latest report, the rescued labourers have left AP and are expected to reach Balangir in a day or two by Aleppey-Bokaro Express accompanied by volunteer Jayakrishna Panda. |
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