Madhya Pradesh Labourers Rescued From Maharashtra; Were Made Hostage For Demanding Full Wages

Solapur, 9 January 2021: Fifty-two labourers from Katni district of Madhya Pradesh, were brought to Maharashtra for sugarcane harvesting by promising Rs 400 daily wages. However, only Rs 100 were given to them after one week.

The owner made them hostage after they protested. Later, the administration was made aware by the families of the labourers. After which, the police rescued labourers.

After Diwali, 52 labourers of village Dhanwahi, Karipathar, Bandhi station were taken to Solapur district for sugarcane harvesting. They were told that four hundred rupees a day wages would be given. However, a hundred rupees a week was given after they demanded money. When labourers opposed the action, they were threatened and were restrained from visiting their homeland.

The workers informed their relatives living in Katni. After which, the family told Collector Priyank Mishra about the incident. The Collector took the matter seriously and instructed the Bahoriband SDM Rohit Sisonia (IAS) to investigate the matter.

During the investigation, it was found that the workers were taken to Kandal village in Solapur district, where excessive work was being taken from the labourers on lower wages. Superintendent of Police Tejaswi Satpute was contacted after gathering the evidence, and a special team was made for the rescue operation.

Within twenty-four hours, on January six, the team raided the place and rescued 52 hostages. Labourers were then taken to Mandarup police station and were sent to Nagpur on the next day. The authorities arranged buses from Nagpur for their respective villages. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan and MP VD Sharma has tweeted and applauded the authorities for their excellent work.