In the wake of reports of at least 32 bonded labourers from Odisha being held captive in a brick kiln unit in Garladinne of Andhra's Anantapur district, who have subsequently been rescued, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the state government.
The NHRC in a press release stated that it has taken media reports about the ordeal of the labourers into suo motu cognisance and sought a detailed report from the chief secretary of Andhra Pradesh within one week.
NHRC, based on the media reports, stated that the district authorities have failed to do their lawful duty to protect the labourers from victimisation and hence, strict action is required to be taken against the delinquent officers and appropriate legal action is also required to be taken against the brick kiln owner.
While expecting the officials to ensure that the bonded labourers reach their native places, the NHRC also said that they should be given medical care if required.
NHRC stated, "The labourers, including children and women, are being kept under bondage, without any basic amenities which is in violation of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. Strict action is required to be taken against the brick kiln owner as well as officers concerned for their negligence."
TNM has also carried a report according to which even as the rescue operation of the labourers is underway, officials have said that several children were sent to a local hospital in view of their health.
According to revenue and police officials who spoke with TNM, arrangements are being made to send the labourers to their native places on Wednesday evening.
Speaking to TNM, Anantapur Taluka Circle Inspector Krishna Reddy said, "We have booked a suo motu case against brick kiln owners under Child Labour (Prohibition and Abolition) Act and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 for the violation of children’s rights. We are waiting to receive the report from local revenue officials to register another case under Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act."
Meanwhile, District Collector S Satyanarayana told TNM that all the labourers will be sent to their native places this evening. He said, "All of them have been rescued and will be sent back to their native places safely. The brick kiln owners have been booked already."
When asked about NHRC's allegation of “officials' negligence" in pursuing the bonded labourers case, he said, "We have acted as soon as we got information about this happening."t
Meanwhile, human rights activists are demanding the rehabilitation of the affected families.
Read: 32 bonded labourers including 12 minors rescued from brick-kiln in Andhra