Balangir: A labour contractor has allegedly held a minor girl from Odisha captive in Andhra Pradesh after the death of her ailing father, who earlier worked in a brick kiln in the neighbouring state.
The girl belongs to Sulekela Village in Odisha’s Balangir.
According to sources, her father Kanhu Mallick had gone to Andhra Pradesh with his family to work in a brick kiln in Sata Nagar area two months ago. However, the labour contractor forced him to work for long hours even when he was severely ill. His health condition deteriorated due to lack of medical treatment
After several requests, the labour contractor allowed Kanhu and his family members to return to Odisha for treatment, but he held his minor daughter captive, demanding Rs 50,000. Five days after returning to his village, Kanhu died on Sunday.
Following his death, family members and villagers staged protests for justice and financial assistance from the state government.
They also demanded that the administration take immediate steps to rescue the girl and stern action against the labour contractor.
