15 bonded labourers saved in Vellore

The action followed the bonded labour retrieval association informing District Collector A Shanmugasundaram of the existence of bonded labour activity at Paruvamedu near Arakkonam, sources said.

The Collector then ordered Ranipet sub collector Ilam Bagavath to investigate and initiate action. Subsequently, a team of revenue officials led by Bagavath rushed to the spot and conducted an enquiry.

The 15 labourers then stated that they belonged to Kooram village in neighbouring Kanchipuram district and were forced to work as bonded labourers for having taken a loan of Rs.35000 a few years ago. They were employed as woodcutters for Prasanth in Kanchipuram district. The rescued workers were then taken to Ranipet, where they were provided with groceries and clothes by officials who then sent them to their native village. Revenue officials are checking the antecedents of Prasanth.