10 bonded labourers of Irula tribe rescued

Chennai: After suffering cruelty for nearly four years, similar to the characters in director Bala’s hit movie ‘Paradesi’, 10 bonded labours, including 4 children, belong to Irula tribe were rescued from a mango grove near Peruvelu village near Madhuranthakam in Kancheepuram district, on Friday morning.

Revenue officials under Madhuranthakam RDO Malathi and police conducted a surprise raid in a mango grove where ferocious dogs stood guard. “The raid was conducted after an NGO complained about the bonded labour in the garden. When officials and police tried to enter the garden, dogs threatened them. The officials could enter the grove only after chasing the dogs away,” a police source said. The dogs were deployed to prevent labourers  from escaping the garden.

The rescued bonded labourers belong to three families and are residents of Puthiran Kottai, Sithamur and Zamin Endathur villages. G. Boomilingam (28), his wife Shantha (23), their 2 children, C. Rathinavel (40), his wife Iyammal (38), their two children, Ganesan (50) and his wife Thanam were rescued.

According to sources, grove owner Sathya has been providing meagre ration to the three families once in a week and was giving a maximum of Rs 25 a week. “Like in Paradesi movie, Sathya would give money to his labours if they suffer illness as debt. He would also collect interest for the ‘debt’ making them liable,” sources added.

Following their rescue, officials provided relief fund to families and sent them to their villages. Meanwhile, Madhuranthakam police have registered a case and launched a hunt to nab garden owner Sathya.

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