Five persons of Sundargarh district, who had gone to work as migrant labourers in Gujarat and were languishing there, were rescued and handed over to their family members on Friday.
The five persons from Ergada village under the Chandiposh police station in Bonei sub-division of Sundargarh district had left their village onFebruary 15 last to Gujarat allegedly through local broker Sanatan Bhumij.
According to sources, Sanatan and his wife laxmi had lured the five persons. After a couple of months, suddenly the mobile phones of the five persons were found switched off, following which their family members were not able to contact them. The villagers had repeatedly contacted Sanatan and laxmi to know about the whereabouts of the persons but in vain.
In November last, one of the five persons, Salim Haro, had contacted his family members and informed that they were forced to work for 12 hours daily and not being given salary and proper food. He had also informed that they were not being allowed to come outside and talk over phone. Haro requested his family to help for their rescue.
The families of the five persons had then contacted Sanatan and demanded his intervention for their release. Sanatan promised that they would return by December-end.
When the labourers did not return, their family members met Rourkela SP Anirudha Singh in the first week of January seeking his intervention. Singh assured them of suitable action.
As per the direction of the SP, the Chandiposh police interrogated Sanatan and came to know from him that all the five persons were working in a tile factory in Gujarat. Police officials along with Sanatan went to Murvi in Gujarat two days ago and along with police officials of Murvi there conducted a raid in the tile factory and rescued the five persons.
On the basis of the allegations of the rescued persons, the Murvi police registered a case and have started investigation. According to the Chandiposh police, Sanatan is not a labour broker but had taken the five youths to Gujarat for employment.
