Post News Network
Chichaiguda (Kalahandi), Jan 12: A migrant labourer of Sekhpada under Junagarh block in Kalahandi district died allegedly after being subjected to physical torture at a Secunderabad-based brick kiln December 26.
The deceased was identified as Arjun Kapata (36). His wife Jashoda Kapata (30) has been held captive along with 27 other labourers from the same village at the brick kiln at Panchamphul in Secunderabad. Thirteen other labourers of the village are held captive at a brick kiln in Karnataka.
The matter came to the fore after the families of the labourers arrived at the collector’s grievance cell in Junagarh block office Monday. The collector, however, had left the venue before the complainants could meet him.
Left with no option, they met block development officer Parambrahma Joshi and lodged a complaint with him. Joshi immediately informed the matter to the collector, the superintendent of police, the district labour officer and the inspector of the local police station.
The incident has spread shockwaves in the area.
Sources said over 41 villagers of Sekhpada in Maliguda panchayat led by co-villager Hrudananda Nayak and his brother-in-law Dhable Majhi of Dengu under Saintala block in neighbouring Bolangir district left the village with their families to work at brick kilns in Telangana and Karnataka.
The real ordeal of the migrants began when they reached their places of work. They were made to work beyond their duty hours and were physically assaulted by the kiln authorities at the slightest pretext. Any resistance from the labourers would invite the wrath of the kiln owners who held them captive. One of the labourers, Arjun, was tortured to death. PNN
