Ganjam: A minor boy in Ganjam district, formally declared a released bonded labourer earlier this month, has been rescued again after his parents alleged that his employer forcibly took him back into bonded labour.
The child was rescued from the employer’s premises Tues day evening after his parents alleged that he was forcibly taken away from home without their consent.
They further alleged that the employer threatened them and demanded repayment of an advance purportedly given to the family.
The boy was lodged in a shelter home and is scheduled to be produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
His ordeal began when a complaint alleged that he and another minor boy were being forced to herd buffaloes, overworked and denied wages for nearly two years at Kalabada village under Chikiti block.
A joint team of revenue, labour, police and child-protection officials raided the village September 1 but could not find the children.
The boy was subsequently produced before officials and rescued.
The CWC later restored him to his parents after he expressed a desire to stay with them and directed the family to facilitate his education through open schooling.
Brahmapur SDM issued a Release Certificate formally recognising him as a released bonded labourer September 10, making him eligible for rehabilitation measures.
The latest rescue, however, has reopened the case, with authorities now investigating the parents’ allegations against the employer.
