Trafficked boy from Theni reunited with parents

CHENNAI: Manikandan, a native of Periyakulam, Theni,  was just 11 years old when he was sold over by his parents for a meagre amount of Rs 2000 to couple Ramar and Mahadevi in Karnataka.  What followed was nine long years of torture, inhuman long working hours, ill-treatment at the hands of the owners and forced isolation from his family.

The couple, who owned a confectionary unit at Madhugiri village, Karnataka, made him work from 5 am to 12 midnight. Heavy restrictions too were placed on his movement, with his life confined to the four walls of a sombre, tiny room at the back of the snack shop run by the owner.

Manikandan, now 2 1-year- old, recalls that he was subjected to inhumane treatment. His mistakes, illnesses, exhaustion and anything that the owners felt hampered work was met with verbal abuse and severe punishments such as branding with hot iron and hitting with iron ladles and sticks. He could talk to his parents only once a week and was not even allowed to attend the wedding of his two sisters. Ironically, all his labour went unpaid as the owners deceived the family by paying them a total sum of Rs 10,000 in small installments. This too was added as 'debt' amount and the cycle of enslavement continued.

Finally, in November 2018 Manikandan garnered enough courage to escape from the confectionery unit. With the help of a lorry driver he chanced upon, he escaped to Vellore, where he worked in a lorry shed as a  painter and mechanic for nine months. He was finally reunited with his family on July 16, 2019, following which he was presented before the district collector of Theni.

Further investigation brought to light the plight of a few other boys working at the confectionary. Following this immediate action was initiated and a special team was formed to rescue the boys. On July 24, a team comprising officials from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, including Manikandan went to the worksite and rescued three other young boys, aged between 14 and 16.

Release certificates were issued by the Karnataka government on Thursday (July 25) and the rescued boys are now on their way back to Tamil Nadu.