A Decade of Despair Concludes: Odisha Tribal Labourers Freed, Begin Arduous Journey Home on Foot

After a harrowing decade spent in the brutal confines of brick kilns, thirteen tribal labourers from Odisha have finally tasted freedom, embarking on a long and emotional journey back to their ancestral villages. Their tale is one of modern-day slavery, persistent exploitation, and a hard-won liberation that saw them, at first, walking hundreds of kilometres on blistered feet.

The group, comprising ten men and three women, some of whom were mere children when they were first lured away, hailed from impoverished villages within Odisha’s Bhawanipatna block in Kalahandi district. Ten years ago, they were ensnared by unscrupulous brokers who offered paltry advances—between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 per person—under the false promise of steady, fair-paying work. Instead, they found themselves trapped in the scorching brick kilns of Anakapalle, Andhra Pradesh, forced to toil for a pittance, often as little as Rs 200 a day, after the “advance” was perpetually deducted. Their movements were restricted, their connection to home severed, and their pleas for release ignored for an entire decade.

The glimmer of hope arrived when a vigilant relative of one of the missing labourers reported their plight to the Kalahandi district administration. This vital tip-off sparked a coordinated effort. The Odisha government’s Labour Department, under the guidance of its Resident Commissioner in Delhi, swiftly engaged with their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh. This diplomatic and administrative push proved crucial, leading to the identification and eventual liberation of the bonded labourers on June 10, 2024.

However, the ordeal wasn't over. With no immediate arrangements for their transport back to Odisha, the freed individuals, driven by an overwhelming desire to return home, began their arduous journey on foot. For days, they walked under the relentless sun, covering approximately 100 kilometres, until exhaustion threatened to overwhelm them. Their desperate trek finally caught the attention of the Odisha labour department officials, who then dispatched a relief van to intercept them and bring them safely across state lines.

Upon reaching their home villages, the survivors, though weary and emotionally scarred, were met with profound relief and gratitude. The Odisha government has pledged comprehensive support for their rehabilitation. This includes providing job cards under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), ensuring access to housing schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and enrolling them in other social security programs. Medical examinations have also been arranged to address any health issues arising from their decade of hardship.

Their story is a stark reminder of the persistent challenge of bonded labour and human trafficking, especially among vulnerable tribal communities. Yet, it is also a testament to the power of human resilience and the critical importance of government intervention in rescuing those trapped in modern-day slavery, offering them a chance to rebuild their lives and reclaim their dignity.