Sunday, 02 September 2012 22:59
SUDHIR MISHRA.|.BALANGIR
Hits: 44
It is almost a common incident in
migrant prone areas of Balangir district and other parts of western Odisha to
find a large number of poor and distressed people, migrating to brick kilns of
Andhra Pradesh for six to eight months in a year in search of livelihood and
facing untold torture and exploitation. At times, they are denied of their
wages too.
Working in the brick kilns of Andhra
Pradesh for 22 years is really shocking, given the prevailing harsh working
conditions, deplorable living conditions, poor wage and denial of basic
amenities. But this has happened in case of a man from Balangir.
“I had migrated to the brick kilns
of Andhra
Pradesh, along with my wife 22 years
ago in search of livelihood. We worked in the brick kilns near Vishaka steel in
Pathanjore area of Andhra Pradesh,” said Chandra Dharuua of Bad Dukula village
in Tureikela block.
The brick kiln owner never allowed
us to come to our village. When my father and mother died, the owner did not
allow us to come to our village. When we migrated 22 years ago, my family
consisted of two members. Now, there are seven members. The boys are not
reading but the daughters are reading in class V in Telgu medium, Dharuua.
During the 22 years, I faced
torture, exploitation and denial of wages. I had never imagined that I could
return to Balangir, my home district. My brothers are living in the village, he
said.
“I have nothing. Let the Government
take necessary steps to rehabilitate us and ensure our livelihood. I would
never go to the brick kiln again,” appealed Chandra.
After reaching the village, we would
take up the case of Dharuaa with the local PRI members and block officials to
ensure his rehabilitation and livelihood, said Dayasagar Pradhan of NGO Aide et
Action, who rescued these labourers with Saroj Barik and accompanied them to
Balangir from Andhra Pradesh.
No comments:
Post a Comment