Post News Network
Malkangiri, June 24: Two tribal youths of Matapaka village under Korukonda block in this district managed to flee from the clutches of a Hyderabad-based contractor after being tortured for about five months.
The youths – Keshav Marhi (18) and Laka Kunjami (19) – said 23 other tribal youths who had accompanied them are still stuck in Hyderabad.
“We had gone there to earn for our family. They made us work round the clock and didn’t provide food. They used to beat us when we asked for remuneration. We fled the place failing to bear the torture but our 23 friends are still there,” the youths said Wednesday at the office of the district labour officer when they had visited to seek justice.
According to them, 26 youths of the village had gone to Hyderabad six months ago to work. They were engaged in a firm named Prakash Borewell. The authorities promised them a monthly salary of Rs 7, 500 along with three meals a day and accommodation. “We received the first month’s salary in time and were provided proper food but from the second month they started having a difficult time,” Keshav said.
They were given food once in a day and forced to work during night. Moreover, they were not allowed rest by the firm owner and threatened when asked for remuneration, he added. The authorities also seized their mobile phones when they tried to contact their families back home, said Laka..
Irma Madkami was the first youth who managed to flee after failing to withstand the sufferings. However, he fell ill after his return and died last week. Irma’s wife Kane and two children are now leading a miserable life. Laka said they were engaged to supply water in some pockets of Hyderabad but ironically they could bath four times only in the last six months.
K Jangaya Gouda, owner of the firm, has engaged the labourers at different places so that they fail to unite, Keshav said. District labour officer Laxman Kumar Behera said he has received the complaint and would meet the family members of 23 youths. “I would make arrangements for the return of the detained labourers,” he added.
