Gunupur: In the wake of Odisha Bytes reports about harassment and torture of 17 labourers from Rayagada district trapped in the prawn farms of Bhimavaram in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, police superintendent Vivekananda Sharma deputed Gunupur police station incharge Jashwant Hial to Vijayawada.
According to police sources, Hial reached neighbouring Andhra Pradesh Capital and in collaboration with the police of Andhra Pradesh rescued the labourers and helped their safe return to Odisha.
The labours narrated inhuman treatment in their workplaces, long working hours, denial of food to sick workers and physical torture by the contractors among other things.
On being contacted by Odisha Bytes, the Rayagada District labour officer feigned ignorance of the number of labourers who have been escorted to Andhra Pradesh from Rayagada or Gunupur region.
Gunupur labour officer has also expressed his inability to provide figures of labourers who were forced to leave their home and hearth in search of labour and employment in the neighbourhood.
Locals have urged the authorities to keep track of poor people who are leaving the state in search of work and to ensure that such workers are provided food or work so that they do not leave their home.
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