In a successful operation, four members of a family who were held as bonded laborers in a brick factory in Jodigubbi village, Holenarasipur taluk, have been rescued by the Hallimaisur police.
Acting on instructions from Holenarasipur Tehsildar Krishnamurthy, the police freed Mokardaj Putel, his wife Urmila, and their children Varshita and Raj, all from Koprakol village, Balangir district, Odisha.
The family was held captive for three years in the SM Brick Factory, owned by Satish, on a 1.06-acre land. They were promised ₹800 for making 1,000 bricks daily but received only ₹17,000 three years ago. The family was forced to work from 6 am to 6 pm daily without rest, and their movement was restricted.
A case has been registered against factory owner Satish at Hallimaisur police station for exploiting the family. The rescued workers were denied payment for their labor and were not allowed to visit their village for three years.