Bhopal. 20 workers from Betul district of Madhya Pradesh and four workers from Harda, who were held hostage in Erode district of Tamil Nadu, have been successfully rescued with the prompt and coordinated efforts of the National Scheduled Tribe Commission, District Administration and Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.
All the workers returned safely late Wednesday evening. When all these laborers reached Betul railway station, local Collector Narendra Kumar Suryavanshi and Superintendent of Police Virendra Jain warmly welcomed them. On this occasion, District President of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram Maheshwar Bhalavi, District Labor Officer Dhamdeep Bhagat and other officials were present.
Identity of all the workers at the station was ensured. Betul Collector Suryavanshi, while discussing with the workers, assured them that the administration has made proper arrangements for them to reach their homes safely. He said that the Revenue, Police and Labor departments will remain in constant touch to ensure that no problem arises in future.
Also, the Labor Officer was directed to maintain contact with the workers and obtain necessary documents for approval of financial assistance. Buses were arranged to safely transport all the workers from the railway station to their home villages and food was also arranged. The workers expressed gratitude to the state government and the district administration on their safe return.
District Labor Officer Dhamdeep Bhagat said that the said workers had gone to Erode district of Tamil Nadu for work, where when they asked for leave on Holi festival, they were not given leave and were being made to work in bonded manner. As soon as information about the matter was received through National Scheduled Tribe Commission member Prakash Ooi, the Betul district administration showed promptness and established contact with the Erode district administration with the joint coordination of Labour, Police and Revenue Department and freed all the workers.
It was told that each rescued worker will be sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 30,000 each by the government, so that they can re-arrange their lives. The district administration has also talked about ensuring their rehabilitation and necessary support.
He said that out of total 24 workers, four are residents of Harda district and 20 are residents of Betul district. All the workers of Betul are residents of Kabra, Borkund, Birpura and Basenda villages of Bhimpur block. Arrangements were made to safely transport four workers from Harda district. Social workers Praveen Dholke and Vikrant Kumre also played an active role in the said work.
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