Seven persons including two children and an expectant mother, were rescued from bonded labour at mango farms in Naickaneri village panchayat near Ambur town in Tirupattur on Wednesday.

Following the rescue, Vaniyambadi Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Ajitha Begum issued Release Certificates and disbursed financial assistance to those affected.

Revenue officials said that Collector K. Sivasoundaravalli got an alert about the prevalence of bonded labour in Naickaneri hills. Based on her directions, a field-level verification by a team of officials led by Ms. Begam confirmed the presence of bonded labourers at the site.

A coordinated team comprising of RDO, District Labour Welfare Officer, Ambur Tahsildar, and police personnel from Ambur Taluk Police Station conducted surprise checks at the sites that included mango groves, agricultural lands and vegetable garden area.

Revenue officials said that the two families who were affected, were natives of Pakkampalayam village near Odugathur town in Vellore at the foothills of Jawadhu Hills.

The two families borrowed a sum of ₹10,000 from a contractor named Mahavishnu, a native of Ambur town, a few months ago. Subsequently, Mahavishnu, who had taken 67 acres of farmland in the hills under lease to do farming, forced the two Irular families to work for him for the ‘advance’ he paid to them. They worked between 5.30 a.m to 7.30 p.m on all days including Sundays.

The affected persons told the team that they were subjected to verbal abuse and non-payment of wages. They were also not allowed to go from the work site. They were made to work under inhumane conditions. They did cattle rearing, growing of vegetables and maintaining mango groves without adequate rest and food.

Revenue officials said the rescued families were allowed to return to their village. A case was registered by Ambur Taluk police against contractor Mahavishnu. An investigation is underway.