The National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC) has sought a detailed report within a week from the Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh on the suffering of 32 bonded labourers from Odisha in a brick kiln who were denied minimum amenities and made to live under wretched conditions.

The Commission took suo motu cognisance of the fact from a media report where it was reported that the Odia labourers were pleading for their rescue from the brick kiln at Kanumpalli Cross in Garladinne Mandal of the Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh.

As mentioned in the news report, the victim labourers sent out an SOS to their relatives and friends back home for their rescue from travails they were undergoing for the past several months.

The Commission observed that the contents of the media report, if true, indicate that the district authorities have failed to do their lawful duty to protect the labourers from victimization; hence strict action is required to be taken against the delinquent officers and appropriate legal action is also required to be taken against the brick kiln owner.

It also observed that the district authorities are expected to immediately rescue all the bonded labourers, issue release certificate and start process of the payment of the statutory relief, immediately. The authorities are also expected to ensure safe journey of the rescued labourers to their native place and in case any of them requires medical/ healthcare assistance that should be provided without fail.

The Commission has further said the case to be violation of human rights of the victims.