The Sinapali police in the Nuapada district have successfully intervened to rescue 17 migrant workers, some of whom were young children, in two separate operations conducted near Godal Chhak.
After conducting thorough verification and questioning, all individuals rescued have been safely returned to their homes.
As per police reports, two patrol teams from the Sinapali police station acted on reliable information regarding the illegal transport of migrant workers. They quickly proceeded to Godal Chhak and intercepted the workers who were waiting for a bus to Hyderabad, Telangana, for employment.
Details of the Operations
- First Incident (Case No. 363/26): Eight workers were rescued during the first operation. This group included Trinath Majhi (45), his wife Kuntala Majhi (42), their daughter Puja Majhi (19), son Rahul Majhi (19), and Dinabandhu Majhi (21), all from Patelpada village under the Sinapali police station, currently living in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Other individuals rescued included Daktar Majhi from Dumermunda and Shritam Bag, along with his wife Ahalya Bag from Jharsuguda district.
- Second Incident (Case No. 364/26): Nine workers were saved in the second operation. This group comprised Balkrishna Nag (20), his mother Ketaki Nag (55), sister Sasmita Nag (22), and brother Hemant Nag (18) from Junagarh, Kalahandi. Additionally, Dhanasingh Majhi (48), his wife Urmila Majhi (45), son Ajay Majhi (22), Basudev Majhi (18), and Ajay’s wife Satyabhama Majhi (21) from Sinkela, Balangir, were also rescued.
Investigation and Legal Action
Initial investigations indicate that labor middlemen (sardars) misled the workers with false promises of high earnings and job opportunities in Hyderabad. Notably, the workers did not possess the required travel passes, movement orders, or valid work permits, and they were denied the lawful travel and displacement allowances as per regulations.
Separate cases have been filed at the Sinapali police station under Sections 143(3) and 318(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), in addition to Section 25 of the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979. Sinapali Police Station Officer Maheswar Panigrahi confirmed that stringent legal measures are being pursued against the implicated middlemen, with further investigations into the trafficking network currently ongoing.
