40 kids among 94 Odisha migrants rescued by CID from Pochampalli brick kiln

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Crime Investigation Department (CID) rescued and securely relocated 94 Odisha migrants including 40 children from a brick kiln in Pochampalli on Friday.

The rescue operation was initiated after Leslie Martin D, a Dalit rights activist from Telangana, tweeted videos and photos of trafficked men, women and children who were allegedly assaulted and exploited.

"Urgent Rescue of trafficked, women, children, and men alleged to be badly beaten, injured, exploited, and held captive by PVC brick kiln at Narayanangiri, Pochampally, Nalgonda," Leslie D Martin wrote to CID Telangana Chief Mahesh Bhagwat.

The complaint claims that the victims, including women and children, were ruthlessly beaten, exploited, and held captive by the organisers of a PVC brick kiln in Nalgonda district. The victims were seriously injured as a result of the assault. Videos of the victims narrating their ordeal in captivity were also enclosed with the petition.

Telangana CID Chief Mahesh Bhagwat responded immediately and ordered their immediate rescue. Consequently, DCP Bhongir M Rajesh Chandra and Yadadri District Collector Pamela Satpathy intervened and reached out to the human trafficking victims.

An investigation has been initiated by the Pochampalli police. Mahesh Bhagwat commended the quick teamwork led by Rachakonda Commissionerate, DCP Bhongir and the Yadadri District Collectorate.

"The 94 rescued victims included 54 elders – 34 men and 20 women – and 40 children from Odisha," Mahesh Bhagwat told Newstap. They were all charged for food and transportation. A case has been registered at the Pochampalli Police Station, Rachakonda Commissionerate, under Cr.No. 82/2023 under sections 367,374,341,342,324,506 R/w 34 IPC for kidnapping, abduction and assault of six migrant labourers by Kiran who is part of the management of the PVC Brick Kiln.

"They had been working at PVC Bricks since December 2022. CID, RO Nalgonda, SI Pochampalli police station, Assistant Labour Officer, revenue officials, and Child Welfare Department were part of the rescue team," he added.

Leslie Martin D, a Dalit rights activist, told Newstap, "This is the seventh rescue I've been involved in in the last one month. The proof had come from organised sources.

The law enforcement officers didn't take any bait of rest while rescuing matters. The voices were heard even though they were feeble and vulnerable. I hope that the culprits get treated as per laws," he said.