11 people, including 5 children, rescued from bonded labour

The joy of 43-year-old Chinnaraju's family knew no bounds when they were rescued from a quarry in Anekal on Friday. Chinnaraju and his family were among 11 people, including five children, who were forced to work as bonded labourers in the quarry for over two decades.

The 11 bonded labourers were rescued by the Bangalore urban district administration, south sub-division, in coordination with Anekal taluk officials, local police and the labour department.

The quarry owner was arrested and an FIR has been registered against him at the Jigani police station under IPC sections 370 (trafficking of persons), the Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act.

Hailed from Tamil Nadu  

The 11 bonded labourers, who comprise two families were trafficked from Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu. They were breaking rocks at the quarry, mining sand and also working at  the owner's house.

While six adults and a 13-year-old boy worked at the quarry and sand mining unit, four girls, aged between nine  and 15, worked in the owner's house and provision store as maids. The children were not paid wages and were also deprived of education.

The labourers were also living in poor conditions and on a meagre salary, far less than the prescribed minimum wage for a quarry worker. When the families sought leave, they were threatened and beaten up by the owner.

The labourers were sent back to Tamil Nadu on Friday by the officials who coordinated with their counterparts in Tamil Nadu.

The Hosur sub-collector has taken the responsibility for their rehabilitation, and will ensure their return to their village in Gullatti, Krishnagiri district.