The owner of a brick kiln in Andhra Pradesh allegedly threw acid on an Odia labourer and chopped the finger of another for demanding wages.
The victim was identified as Jaideb Chandania (42), of Burta village under Hemgiri police station of Sundargarh district. The incident came to light after five labourers, who escaped from the brick kiln on Monday reached their native place.
According to sources, nearly 12 labourers from Hemgiri had gone to work in a brick kiln in Vizianagaram. But when they asked for the salary of their two months of work, the owner, in a fit of rage, allegedly threw acid on one labourer and chopped the finger of another.
Following the torture and repeated harassment, five labourers including Chandania managed to escape and returned to their native village.
They also informed that seven other Odia labourers from the district are still held captive by the accused brick kiln owner. The acid attack victim is undergoing treatment at VIMSAR in Burla and his health condition is stated to be critical.
Hemagiri police station IIC Sradhanjali Samantray said “We have come to know about the acid attack incident but complaint has not yet been lodged in our police station. We are investigating into the matter.”
A district Labour Department official said he has informed his higher authorities about the incident. Efforts would be made to rescue the seven labourers, who have been held captive in the brick kiln in Andhra Pradesh.