Balangir: In a swift operation, police busted a labour trafficking racket and rescued 55 persons, including 14 children, from Kantabanji area of Odisha’s Balangir district.
Sources said the migrant workers were confined at a house in Ward No. 8 and plans were afoot for their trafficking.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of Kantabanji police raided the house where the victims were lodged. The workers and children were reportedly awaiting transportation to other states for labour work in brick kilns and construction sector.
Preliminary investigations showed that the trafficking attempt was being coordinated by two middlemen, identified as Brajesh Behera and Prakash Behera. Both suspects fled the scene during the police raid and efforts are on to apprehend them.
Police have intensified the search for the accused and are working to ensure the safety and rehabilitation of the rescued individuals.
