On Tuesday, the 49-year-old labourer from Odisha’s Sundergarh district fled from a brick-making unit in Vishakapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, after his employer allegedly threw acid on his face and neck during an altercation over wages.
Bhubaneswar: In broken sentences and a feeble voice, Jaydev Chandnia says over the phone that he is shivering while still feeling that his body is on fire.
On Tuesday, the 49-year-old labourer from Odisha’s Sundergarh district fled from a brick-making unit in Vishakapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, after his employer allegedly threw acid on his face and neck during an altercation over wages.
On Saturday, the Odisha government rescued seven more workers, including four women and a 15-year-old boy, who were part of the group of 12 that left Sundergarh after Dusshera to work at the brick kiln and were held captive there.
“The group decided to escape. But, they were caught by the supervisor and his goons at the Koraput-Andhra border. They were taken back and thrashed. When Jaydev returned from Sundergarh, he was accused by the supervisor of taking the group’s wages. When Jaydev called him a liar, the supervisor threw acid on his face and neck,” says Anil.
Odisha’s Labour department said a probe is underway. “The owner of the brick kiln has denied all charges”, said T Bhagyashree, the helpdesk officer of Odisha’s labour department in Vishakapatnam district, who rescued the workers.
Please click here to read more.