34 bonded labourers, including nine children, rescued from brick kiln in Karnataka’s Bagalkot
Bagalkot: Authorities in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district rescued 34 bonded labourers, including nine children, who had been trafficked from Odisha and allegedly held captive at a brick kiln.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald, the rescue followed a complaint received by the district administration. The complainant informed the authorities that several individuals were confined at a brick kiln in Sankalapur village of Ilakal taluk which is around 50 km from the district headquarters. The total number of bonded labourers rescued in the district over the past three months has risen to 99, according to officials.
Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner Sangappa M said action was taken immediately after the complaint was received. “Given the number of cases coming to light, we will review the feasibility of conducting special drives to eliminate bonded labour in the district,” he said.
District Labour Officer Ramesh S Sumbad told DH that a first information report had been registered against the owner of the brick kiln. Adding that all rescued labourers had undergone medical examinations and were declared fit to travel, he said “They are scheduled to return to Odisha by train tonight."
The rescue was facilitated following a complaint by Spandana Association, an NGO working on labour rights. According to the organisation, the 34 rescued persons belonged to nine families who were allegedly lured with advances ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per family by a trafficker.
Sushila, director of the NGO, told DH that the families were initially told they would be employed in Vijayawada and were taken there by bus. “They were later transported by train to Bagalkot. It was only about two weeks after starting work that they realised they were in Karnataka, after speaking to local labourers,” she said.
The families were reportedly paid ₹800 per week for work at the kiln. Once every week only one member of each family was allowed to visit the market. While the workers allegedly suffered physical and verbal abuse, they were also threatened when they questioned their working conditions, she claimed.
According to the NGO, the laborers were housed in makeshift brick shelters with no access to drinking water or sanitation facilities, and they were constantly monitored, even when they went outside to urinate themselves.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
