Archive · 22 Aug 2026
40 Tribal Workers Rescued From Bonded Labour Network
Officials rescued 40 tribal workers from charcoal kilns in Andhra Pradesh.
The group included babies and older people.
The workers had reportedly come from Maharashtra after being promised work.
Instead, contractors allegedly trapped them with debts.
They were made to work for long hours around smoky kilns.
They lived in tents without enough water or toilets.
Officials gave them food, medical care and money to help them return home.
Police have registered a serious case against the alleged contractors.
Sri Sathya Sai district officials rescued 40 tribal workers, including infants, from charcoal kilns.
The workers were allegedly trafficked from Maharashtra and forced into bonded labour.
Officials said contractors Ramesh Taru Rathod and Prakash Devichand Rathod lured families with debt.
Victims were reportedly confined in unsanitary tents and forced to work without wages.
Release certificates, medical care, financial assistance and transport home were provided; a non-bailable case was registered.
- Who
- Forty tribal workers, including infants, were rescued; contractors Ramesh Taru Rathod and Prakash Devichand Rathod were named in the case.
- What
- District task force teams dismantled an alleged interstate trafficking and bonded-labour operation involving charcoal kilns.
- When
- The rescue followed District Collector A Shyam Prasad’s orders; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- The workers were rescued from Talamarla village and sites in Gorantla Mandal, in Sri Sathya Sai district; they were allegedly brought from Adivasiwadi village in Nizampur Taluka, Raigad district, Maharashtra.
- Why
- Officials acted after a complaint by Srikanth Janju Koli alleging exploitation of impoverished tribal workers.
- Workers rescued
- 40 tribal workers, including infants and people up to age 63
- Origin reported
- Maharashtra, including Adivasiwadi village in Nizampur Taluka, Raigad district
- Worksites
- Charcoal kilns in Talamarla village and Gorantla Mandal
- Alleged conditions
- Unsanitary tents, no water or toilets, smoke-filled kilns and no wages
- Legal action
- A non-bailable case was registered at Gorantla police station
- Relief provided
- Release certificates, food, medical care, financial aid and safe transport home
- Applicable law
- Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, along with relevant BNS and SC/ST laws