Post News Network
Rayagada, Jan 13: A teacher of Matikanda upper primary school in this district has forced 17 students to work as labourers in his farmland. The children, aged between 5 and 12 years, were rescued by childline authorities and members of the district child protection committee Tuesday.
According to reports, the accused teacher owns a farmland in Bhakuraguda where he had cultivated cotton. He had an intention to engage his students as farmhands to collect cotton.
He lured the students to work as labourers on the promise of `100 as wage per day. The teacher allegedly threatened the students of dire consequences if they did not agree to his proposal.
By these means, he was able to engage the students in his farmland. Acting on a tip-off, childline authorities and members of district child protection committee went to the spot and rescued the children in the presence of Chandili police. The students were later handed over to their family members.
The teacher went into the hiding after the incident came to light.