11 including children rescued from charcoal kiln

Acting on a tip off, the Revenue Divisional Officer of Ponneri, Nandha Kumar, led a team of officials from the department who rushed to the charcoal kiln in Vairavan Kuppam. The alert that he received from the International Justice Mission, an NGO working in the field of bonded labour, said that the kiln had employed families, children.

When they reached the spot and conducted searches, the officials found that 11 persons belonging to two families from Chennamman Nagar in Pulicat were employed as bonded labourers at the facility. These included four children, too, officials added. The unit is owned by a businessman Thirusangu for several years, said sources.

“When we investigated the kiln, we found that the tip off we received from the International Justice Mission was true. We immediately rescued the victims, who were later given food and shelter. They will be sent back to their native villages soon,” Nandha Kumar said.

The official added that a case was registered at the Ponneri Police Station and investigations were on. “The due legal process will be followed and action will be taken against the charcoal kiln owner,” said the RDO. This is the latest in a seemingly unending raids by Revenue department at brick and charcoal kilns and other such facilities in Tiruvallur, from where dozens of families have been rescued. However, despite these measures, authorities have not been able to bring about a complete stoppage.