Nalgonda: Authorities in Nalgonda successfully rescued 36 people, including four children, from forced labor in the Krishna River area. This operation resulted from a collaboration between the district police, revenue, child welfare, and other departments.
For a while, certain fish traders in this region had been trafficking people from states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha. These victims were coerced into working without pay under harsh conditions. They faced threats, withheld wages, and exploitation in fishing activities.
Police have arrested eight culprits involved in these illegal activities. Among them are Vaddty Jawaharlal, Ramavath Ramesh, Mailapalli Shiva, Kare Simhachalam, Vanka Vishaka, Eripalli Babuji, Chapala Tata Rao, and Chapala Bangari.
Cases have been registered at the Neredugommu and Gudipally police stations under relevant legal sections, including the Bonded Labour System Abolition Act. Investigations revealed that agents from Hyderabad and Vijayawada—Raju, Jagan, Lokesh, and Venkanna—deceived migrants with promises of a Rs 15,000 monthly salary, short workdays, and free provisions.
Upon reaching Mallepally in Devarakonda, victims were imprisoned, stripped of their mobile phones, and forced to fish in the Krishna River under severe conditions. They received just two meals daily and were beaten if they asked for wages. Special teams are actively searching for the missing agents. The Superintendent of Police warns that severe consequences await anyone involved in trafficking or worker exploitation.
The public is encouraged to report cases of child or bonded labor to Child Helpline 1098 or Women’s Helpline 181. Devarakonda ASP Mounika led this operation with support from officers like P Mahesh, R. Raju, VPO Prashant, and Y Narender Reddy. The Nalgonda District SP, Sharath Chandra Pawar, presented details of the case and introduced the accused and rescued individuals to the media at a press conference at the DPO office auditorium in Nalgonda.
