How Did Rajasthan Police Rescue 53 Tribal Workers from a Labour Trafficking Racket?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 53 tribal workers were rescued from captivity.
- Traffickers lured them with false job offers.
- Women faced indecent treatment.
- Police acted swiftly to rectify the situation.
- Legal proceedings against the traffickers are underway.
Jaipur, Dec 27 (NationPress) The Pratapgarh District Police of Rajasthan successfully rescued 53 tribal labourers who were held captive in Solapur district, Maharashtra, after being deceived with false employment promises. Under the leadership of B. Aditya, Superintendent of Police, Pratapgarh, and the guidance of Gajendra Singh Jodha, Additional Superintendent of Police, Pratapgarh, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Sohanlal of Ghantali Police Station carried out the rescue operation.
On December 22, Superintendent of Police, Pratapgarh, received intelligence indicating that men and women from villages including Varda, Jamli, Maliya, Gothra, Umariya Pada, Bada Kali Ghati, Thesla, Kumari, and others, had been taken about two months ago to Jabud village, under the jurisdiction of Akluj Police Station, Solapur district (Maharashtra).
They were misled by a local individual who promised them employment, said the police on Saturday.
Subsequently, the labourers managed to contact their families, revealing that brokers Sitaram Patil (Maharashtra) and Khan (Alwar, Rajasthan), along with a local accomplice, had orchestrated a scheme to lure approximately 100 labourers with the promise of Rs 500 per person per day, along with complimentary food and lodging in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Instead, the workers were forced into labour in sugarcane fields in Solapur district.
Broker Khan reportedly received an advance of Rs 9.50 lakh, while Sitaram Patil accepted Rs 18 lakh from landlords as wages and then deserted the workers.
When the labourers sought their due wages, they faced beatings, threats, confinement in houses and enclosures on the farms, and were coerced into working.
A few labourers managed to escape and return home when the opportunity arose.
It has also come to light that the accused subjected female labourers to indecent treatment. No wages were disbursed to any of the labourers.
In light of the humanitarian perspective and adhering to the Rajasthan Police motto — "Confidence among the public, fear among criminals" — the Superintendent of Police promptly dispatched Sub-Inspector Sohanlal and his team to Maharashtra along with the families of the trapped labourers.
Through persistent effort and coordination, the police team successfully rescued all 53 labourers from various locations.
As the rescued labourers lacked funds for food, travel, or basic necessities, arrangements for their return journey and other essentials were made with the assistance of public representatives and local citizens.
All labourers were safely transported back to Pratapgarh and will be returned to their respective villages.
A case has been registered at Ghantali Police Station against the accused involved in this conspiracy, and further legal proceedings are ongoing.