KORAPUT: Underpaid and tortured at workplace, six tribals were rescued by Malkangiri police in association with their Hassan counterparts in Karnataka on Saturday.
According to sources, an agent identified as Rama Khillo of Sileru in Andhra Pradesh had lured these people, aged between 20 and 25 years, from Malkangiri district’s RAC 1 village underKorkunda block with promises of better livelihood at Hassan on April 5.
"These people were taken from Malkangiri to Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh and then to Hassan. They were engaged in construction work and forced to work from 4 am to 8 pm. Though they were promised wage of Rs 250 per day, they worked for at least 28 days at Hassan without any payment," said Santosh Sukla, coordinator of a voluntary organization, working at Malkangiri.
The voluntary organization, after learning about the pathetic condition of the labourers from their respective families, brought the matter to the notice of police, who in turn facilitated their safe return.
"We informed our counterparts in Karnataka, who rescued the labourers from the construction site and helped them return home. The labour agent is absconding and a case has been registered against him," said SP (Malkangiri) Akhileswar Singh.
"Still at least 12 tribals of Gunthawada panchayat are working at Hassan and we have approached police to bring them back to Malkangiri," Sukla said.