Summary:
Ranchi, PTI) Five migrant workers of Jharkhand who were allegedly held captive in Karnataka"s Hospet for fish farming have been rescued, the state government said on Friday.
The migrant workers from Gumla district were forced by a contractor to work for 18 hours a day and abused and beaten up on occasions for refusing to work long hours without proper food.
"After the intervention of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, five workers of Gumla who were held hostage in Karnataka"s Hospet have been rescued.
They were held captive for one and a half months after being promised better work opportunities,” a statement issued by the state government said.
The development comes close on the heels of the state government rescuing 16 migrant workers of Jharkhand who were allegedly held captive at an island in Andhra Pradesh for fish farming last month.
On receiving information about the fate of the five labourers trapped in Hospet, the chief minister had on Monday directed officials to ensure the safe return of the migrant workers.