Kendrapada: An FIR was lodged against a businessman in Jajpur district after a tribal boy, forced into bonded labour for four years, was rescued on Saturday.
Acting on a tip-off, members of the child welfare committee (CWC) reached Haripur village under Sukinda police station limits and rescued the minor from harsh working conditions.
“We rescued the child, who was being made to work over 14 hours a day without wages, in the trader’s cowshed and orchard.An FIR was lodged against the employer, Bichitra Biswal, under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and other relevant laws,” said Niranjan Kar, district child protection officer (DCPO).
“The ordeal began four years ago when the boy’s parents borrowed Rs 16,000 worth of asbestos sheets and iron rods for house construction from Biswal. In exchange, they pledged their then 11-year-old son to work for a year. However, the boy was held for four years, prohibited from seeking other work, and denied any pay,” Kar said.
After the rescue, the boy was produced before the CWC and sent to a govt-run children’s home. “The child appears happy and eager to resume his education,” Kar said. He said the govt provides financial assistance to rescued bonded labourers to help them rebuild their lives.