Five persons of Sundargarh district, who had gone to work as migrant labourers in Gujarat, have reportedly been languishing there and are not able to return as their employer is not releasing them for unknown reasons.
The incident came to fore here on Tuesday, when their family members met Rourkela SP and narrated their plights. The officials of the District labor Office visited the concerned village on Wednesday and conducted an inquiry in to the matter.
Sources said five persons from Ergada village under Chandiposh police station under Bonei Sub division of Sundargarh district had left their village on February 15 last to Gujarat through a local broker identified as Sanatan Bhumij. They were identified as Anil Kumar Ekka, Ajay Khalko, Guru Charan Seth, Arbind Aindi and Salim Haro.
According to sources, Sanatan, a native of Kaleiposh under lahunipara police station of Sundargarh district, had married to one laxmi, native of Ergada village. Sanatan and laxmi reportedly had lured the five youths of Ergada village to go to Gujarat. All five youths had reached Gujarat and but after a couple of months, suddenly their mobile phones were found switched off, following which the family members were not able to contact them. The villagers had repeatedly contacted Sanatan and laxmi to know about the whereabouts of the youths but in vain. In November last, Salim Haro had contacted their family members and informed that they were forced to work for 12 hours daily and were 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 had requested his family members to help for their rescue.
After the development, the family members of all five persons had also contacted the broker Sanatan and demanded his intervention for release of five youths. Sanatan cleverly had once again duped them promising that they would return somewhere during December end.
When the youths did not return, the family members had met Rourkela SP Anirudha Singh and requested his intervention after narrating their plights. Singh assured them of suitable action.