In a significant operation against human trafficking, Odisha police rescued 17 bonded labourers, including two children, from Bolangir district. The rescue occurred during a raid in Larki village, located in the Turekela area of the district.
The group consisted of seven men, eight women, and two children, all from villages near Larki, including Bhutiarbahal and Kudasingha. Reports indicate they were being trafficked out of the state without proper documentation or registration.
The police arrested two suspects, Madhav Sandha and Dhaneswar Nag, for their involvement in the trafficking scheme. The accused face charges related to illegal human trafficking and bonded labour. Authorities are continuing investigations to uncover the full extent of the operation and the circumstances surrounding the trafficking.
This case sheds light on the persistent issue of bonded labour and forced migration in Odisha, where vulnerable individuals, including children, are often exploited for labor under harsh conditions without proper pay or safety.
Earlier this year, Odisha police conducted similar operations to combat trafficking. In October, six children aged between 12 and 14 were rescued from bonded labour in Jajpur district. Additionally, in February, a migrant labourer from Belpada died while returning from Andhra Pradesh, highlighting the risks associated with forced labour migration. Another family of labourers from Odisha was rescued in Karnataka in July.
The Bolangir rescue operation underscores the urgent need to address trafficking networks and provide stronger protections for vulnerable populations. No further comments from the police were available at the time of reporting.
This crackdown represents an ongoing effort by Odisha authorities to combat bonded labour and human trafficking in the state.