Revenue officials rescued 28 bonded labourers, including children, from three brick kilns functioning at villages in Anthiyur on Saturday.
The incident came to light when a worker, Selvam (39) of Anangoor in Villupuram district, consumed poison after he was beaten up by the unit owner in front of the other workers on Friday. He had sought permission to go home that was refused by the owner. Hence, he tried to escape and was caught and beaten up. An NGO, Rights Education and Development Centre, received information about the suicide attempt and it alerted the revenue officials and police.
On Saturday, a team led by Gobichettipalayam Revenue Divisional Officer in-charge Pugalendi, Anthiyur Tahsildar Balakumar and revenue officials inspected the units at Nagalur and Muniyappampalayam and found the workers. Inquiries revealed that all the families were from different villages in Villupuram district and had received advance and were working in the units ranging from nine months to three years. They told the officials that Selvam was beaten up and he consumed poison on Friday evening. He was admitted to Government Hospital at Anthiyur and shifted to District Headquarters Hospital in Erode.
ADVERTISEMENT
The officials rescued the workers and release certificates were given to them. Also, 11 workers, who joined recently in these units, expressed willingness to go home. A complaint was lodged with Anthiyur police. All the 39 people were sent home in the evening.