Mysuru: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), led by its member-secretary and senior judge Nagaraj Siddappa Ankasadoddi, rescued 18 bonded labourers from a brick factory in Bevinahalli near Bannur on Monday. The DLSA conducted the joint operation with the Bannur police and T Narasipura taluk administration at the village, which is located 6 kms from the Bannur town in T Narasipura taluk in Mysuru district.Among the rescued were a couple who were admitted to a hospital following alleged assault by the owners of the brick factory.According to the sources, the incident came to light after a couple approached a NGO, which alerted the DLSA. It was initially assumed that the couple and their two children were working as bonded labour. “However, when the officials carried out the raid on Monday morning, they found 18 bonded labourers, including 9 women and two children,” explained officials.According to the authorities, these rescued bonded labourers are sheltered in a govt facility. “The couple who were assaulted are now undergoing treatment. They will also be shifted to the govt facility,” they informed.According to the rescued bonded labourers, they were forced to sign a contract and were refused permission to work outside, citing they owed money to the factory owners. Many of them have been staying in the village for several years and continued to work only for the brick factory.A case has been registered at the Bannur police station.
