The Sri Sathya Sai district administration has busted an inter-State racket that allegedly trafficked impoverished tribal (ST) workers from Maharashtra to the district, confined them in charcoal kilns and subjected them to bonded labour.

Acting on the directions of District Collector A. Shyam Prasad, district task force teams conducted surprise raids and rescued 40 workers, including two minors, who were allegedly trafficked from Koshimbale village in Nizampur taluka of Maharashtra’s Raigad district.

Under the leadership of Puttaparthi RDO P. Suvarna, a team raided a charcoal production unit at Talamarla village in Kothacheruvu mandal and rescued four workers, including two minors.

Similarly, under the supervision of Penukonda RDO T. Ananda Kumar, teams conducted raids at Chintalapalli in Mutharayani Thanda of Gorantla mandal and near Puleru Road, rescuing 36 people. The victims ranged in age from a four-month-old infant to a 63-year-old person, according to an official release.

Officials said the victims had allegedly been lured by main contractor Ramesh Taru Rathod of Ahmednagar district and his agent, Prakash Devichand Rathod of Ashti taluka, on the pretext of clearing debts. They were allegedly confined in makeshift tents without drinking water, electricity or toilet facilities and forced to work day and night in charcoal kilns amid thick smoke and intense heat. The workers were allegedly denied wages and forced into bonded labour.

The victims told officials that they had been exploited because of their poverty and lack of awareness and feared they could have lost their lives had the authorities not intervened.

Under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, the RDOs issued release certificates to all the victims, waiving the illegal debts allegedly imposed on them by the contractors.

The administration arranged food, protection and medical examinations for the rescued workers. They were also provided financial assistance and travel expenses and transported in special vehicles to Nizampur taluka in Raigad district.

Cases have been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.

Mr. Shyam Prasad said no one, irrespective of their status, would be spared if they violated human rights by trafficking innocent tribal workers and subjecting them to bonded labour.

Published - August 21, 2026 06:57 pm IST