Daijiworld Media Network - Salem

Salem, Mar 15: Twenty-seven persons, including women and children, were rescued from bonded labour at Devanna Goundanur village near Sangagiri following an inspection by revenue officials.

Officials said Devanna Goundanur Village Administrative Officer Sathish Prabhu conducted the inspection along with revenue staff after receiving a tip-off.

During the inspection, officials found that a man identified as Arjun Satharabhus Donde from Maharashtra had allegedly brought 10 men and eight women along with their nine children to the village around four-and-a-half months ago.

Preliminary inquiries revealed that the group had earlier been forced to work as bonded labourers in Karnataka for nearly three months. For the past one-and-a-half months, they had been working in an agricultural field at Velayeekadu in Devanna Goundanur village.

Officials said the accused had allegedly taken possession of their mobile phones and did not allow them to leave or seek other work, forcing them to continue as bonded labourers.

All the workers were rescued and further legal action is being taken, officials added.