A case of villagers who had gone to Latur, Maharashtra, has come to fore from the district panchayat area of Chhapara, of being held hostage by the contractor for non-payment of wages and assaulted for demanding wages. Acting on this, a four-member police team was sent to Latur. Where the team reached Latur, 11 tribal labourers were freed from clutches of the contractor and brought back to Chhapra and reunited with their families.

In this case, action is being taken against the accused by registering a case. Migration of villagers from tribal-dominated areas to metro cities for better wages continues. In search of employment, villagers are being forced to go to big cities and other states. Reality of employment-oriented schemes of the Government is coming to fore due to migration of villagers. The Government’s claims of providing employment to villagers are proving hollow. Negligence of departmental staff in implementation of the schemes is also being exposed.

Chhapra police brought back 11 tribal labourers identified as Kirlal (27), son of Chamra Uike, Durga (24), son of Kirlal Uike, Irlal (25), son of Chamra Uike, and a minor, all residents of Mundtola, Rajkumar (28), son of Komal Inwati, Urmila, who were taken hostage in Latur.

Apart from husband Rajkumar Inwati (24), a resident of Babaiya, Sarup (35), son of Biharilal Inwati, Yashoda (32), wife of Sarup Inwati, Mahesh (28), son of Dabbal Pandre, Mema Bai Pandre (32), Geeta (18), daughter of Mahesh Pandre of Niwari Tola.

Resident of Lakhnadaun has been freed from the possession of the accused. A case has been registered against the accused under Section 324, 323, 504, 34 Section of the IPC in police station Jalkot Latur Maharashtra for assaulting the labourers. Police did not cooperate. But later Maharashtra Police had to act after intervention of senior officers and FIR was lodged. According to police, Rajkumar (28), son of Komal Inwati, a resident of Chhapara’s Gorakhpur, had gone to Maharashtra’s Latur to work as a labourer with his wife and daughter.

At around 1 am on December 20, other labourers Keralal, Irlal Uike were resting in Sumara village when there Sanjay Rathore and his brother Baba Rathore came and using caste-indicative words and abusive words on the labourers said, will you go to your home or not. Do not ask us for money, we will not give money. Saying this, both of them attacked the tribal labourers on their head, hands and chest with kicks and punches. In this, Keralalal Uike got injured in his head and right hand. Victims have lodged an FIR in Chhapara police station to take strict action against the accused. Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.