Bhubaneswar: A minor girl from Sulekela Village in Odisha’s Balangir district finds herself allegedly held captive in Andhra Pradesh by a heartless labour contractor. The distressing incident came to light after the untimely death of her ailing father, Kanhu Mallick, who had been working in a brick kiln in the neighboring state.
According to sources, Kanhu Mallick, along with his family, had migrated to Andhra Pradesh two months ago to work in a brick kiln in the Sata Nagar area. However, their hopes for a better life took a dark turn as the labour contractor allegedly subjected Kanhu to grueling hours of work, even when he was severely ill. The lack of medical treatment further worsened his health, leading to a tragic outcome.
Amidst deteriorating health conditions, Kanhu Mallick’s family pleaded with the labour contractor to allow them to return to Odisha for medical treatment. After persistent requests, the contractor relented, but shockingly, he reportedly held the minor daughter of the deceased captive, demanding a ransom of Rs 50,000. The distraught family, already grappling with the loss of a loved one, now faced the torment of having their minor daughter taken hostage.
Tragically, just five days after returning to their village, Kanhu Mallick succumbed to his illness on Sunday, leaving the family in utter despair. In the wake of this heart-wrenching incident, family members, along with outraged villagers, took to the streets in protest. Their demands include justice for the deceased, financial assistance from the state government, and immediate steps to rescue the captive girl.
The grieving community insists on stern action against the heartless labour contractor responsible for the alleged abduction and exploitation. The incident sheds light on the vulnerability of migrant workers, who often face exploitation in unfamiliar environments, far from the safety nets of their homes.
