38 bonded labourers hailing from Odisha, including six children, were rescued by the district administration from a brick kiln in the City on Tuesday.
With the help of a non-government organisation, International Justice Mission, the rescued tribals from Bargarh and Bolangir districts in Odisha, were sent to their native villages.
Sleuths of anti-human trafficking unit of the Criminal Investigation Department, in a joint operation with a team consist of officials of the district administration, raided the brick kiln at Bagalur village near Lingarajapuram.
The team was shocked to see them living in piteous conditions at the kiln. A member of the rescue team said the ill-fated labourers were in a state worse than the incarcerated animals. Their salaries were held back by the owner and were threatened of dire consequences if they tried to escape.
Six children between six years and 12 years too were forced to work in the kiln. They were not allowed to go to school, as mandated under the Right to Education Act. The operation was supervised by the Deputy Commissioner of Urban District G C Prakash.