Four women, minor from C'garh raped

They work at UP brick kiln

They had come all the way from Chhattisgarh to Uttar Pradesh to earn their livelihood knowing little that they would be traumatised.

In a shocking incident, fourwomen and a minor, all from Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district, who worked at a brick kiln, were allegedly raped in UP’s Rampur district.

The victims, who were allegedly raped on January 20, did not report the matter to the police at Rampur but returned home and lodged a report there, sources here said.

According to reports, some people had barged into their huts at night when the victims were sleeping and gang raped them. They also assaulted the victims and others and fled after looting cash and other valuables. The brick kiln was located at Shahabad area in the district.

The sources said the victims were threatened with dire consequences if they dared to approach the police.

Fearing for their lives, the victims then returned to Chhattisgarh, where they lodged a report in this connection.

The victims were part of a group of 25 labourers, who had arrived at the brick kiln through a contractor in November last year.

Rampur police said they will investigate the matter and ensure that the culprits are arrested and punished sternly.

In search of job

A large number of men and women come to the state in search of jobs at construction sites and brick kilns and other such places from states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

They are often brought here by unscrupulous contractors, who get hefty commission in return.

These labourers work in inhuman conditions and are often underpaid.

At some places they are also made to work as bonded labour.