Dumka: At least 12 workers, including 10 minors from Pakur and other districts of Jharkhand’s Santhal Pargana, were rescued from an agro-food company in West Bengal’s Uttar Dinajpur district on Tuesday. The workers were allegedly subjected to forced and bonded labour. The other two rescued workers are from Bengal’s Malda district.The joint operation at Chapduar Agro and Food Private Ltd was carried out by the Pakur district administration, the Jharkhand Labour Helpline and local authorities in Bengal.Pakur deputy commissioner Megha Bhardwaj said the administration received information four or five days ago that the minors had been lured with job offers, taken to Uttar Dinajpur and allegedly engaged as bonded labourers. She then contacted the Uttar Dinajpur district magistrate and sought their rescue.“I spoke with my counterpart in West Bengal and requested that the minors be rescued at the earliest. We have also sought a detailed report to ascertain their ages and verify whether they were engaged as bonded labourers. Some of those rescued belong to other districts of Santhal Pargana,” Bhardwaj said on Wednesday.The minors were produced before the local Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Arrangements are being made for their safe return, counselling and rehabilitation under govt welfare schemes.Authorities have initiated action against the alleged middlemen and contractors who took the minors to Bengal. Action against the factory management will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.
