9 Dalit children among 15 rescued from bondage in Tamil Nadu

Nine Dalit children were among 15 persons rescued from bondage by revenue officials from a brick kiln near Erode in Tamil Nadu, district officials said.

Benjamin Prabhu, revenue divisional officer, Erode said officials had acted on information that 15 persons of Kattuserry village in Nagapattinam district were being forced to work as bonded labourers in a brick kiln at Kalingarayanpalayam, 12km from Erode.

The officials went to the kiln yesterday and spoke to the 15 persons, belonging to three families. One of them alleged that they were not being paid proper wages and that their children are suffering for want of education.

The officials registered cases under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Minimum Wages Act and abolition of bonded labour act against the kiln owner.

The rescued were sent back to their native town after being given a part of Rs10,000 to be granted as per government rules. The balance would be given later after receiving funds, they said.

One of the bonded labourers reportedly received Rs30,000 as advance from the owner and another, Rs20,000.

The owner said the amounts were adjusted against their wages. He also claimed that he had not violated any rules and that all the families were given proper wages.