The Siraha District Court with the help of police and local administration rescued 64 Indian nationals, including some minors, who were forced to work in Om Brick Industry, Siraha since two months. The workers are from Fatehpur district in Uttar Pradesh, India.[break]
The Siraha District Court took the initiatives following direction of the Supreme Court. The apex court had issued the directives on January 11, responding to a habeas corpus petition. Sewaram of Fatehpur, India had filed the petition in November.
The apex court had formed a team under Durga Bahadur Bhusal, record-keeper at the district court, to rescue the workers and provide relief to them.
The team, which also included Chief District Officer of Siraha Dhurba Prasad Dhakal and Superintendent of Police Bikram Gurung, visited the factory and rescued the workers.
“The workers were in a pathetic condition. They were not paid as per the agreement and not given proper food and lodging facility. They were also not allowed to go home,” said Bhusal.
Of the total 64 rescued labors, 27 are minors. They are being kept at the office of Red Cross in Siraha.
Some of the laborers said they were sexually harassed by the owner of the factory.
However, Bijay Mandal, proprietor of the Om Brick Industry, denied taking the workers hostage. “All the accusations made by the workers are false. I have paid all the amount to the contractor who supplied me the workers,” said Mandal.
Police Chie of Siraha said Mandal did not allow the workers to return home after the contractor fled with the money paid by him.
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