31 bonded labourers rescued from woodcutting unit near Chennai

CHENNAI: At least 31 bonded labourers, including 11 children, aged between 1 and 11, were rescued from a woodcutting unit near Kovalam in the outskirts of Chennai when a team of revenue department officials from Chengalpet conducted a surprise check. The labourers had been working in the unit for the last three years to repay advance ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 they had taken from the owner.

One of the victims, a girl aged 14 years, had also been sexually assaulted by owner of the woodcutting unit S Jaypaul, 45, of Ponmar village, district revenue officer of Chengalpet D Muthuvadivel told TOI, quoting her statement. Her parents lodged a police complaint with the help of revenue officials. The Kelambakkam police arrested Jaypaul and Settu, 52, who supervised the unit.

Jaypaul had been paying each of the family between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,400 per week. The children helped parents chop wood. They were living in a hut made of plastic covers and sarees. “We have issued release certificate for

16. We will take them to their native place after completing formalities,” said the DRO.

Police said Jaypaul was a habitual offender. About 20 people from three families were rescued from bondage from Jaypaul’s woodcutting unit on December 12, 2013. A case was registered against him under the provision of the Bonded Labour System (abolition) Act.

The incident came to light when a few among the bonded labourers, comprising six families, escaped on Wednesday and approached the International Justice Mission, an NGO. Following this, the NGO visited the facility discreetly and alerted the DRO.

The officer, accompanied by his staff and police, rescued 27 members of the six families. Five families were natives of Arni taluk in Tiruvannamalai district and one from Kancheepuram district. Four people, who were missing during the surprise check, were also traced. They were living in a pathetic condition and the children were denied basic rights such as education, said the DRO.