A group of people in India have been rescued after having been subjected to chaining, torture,” and forced labor in the excavation of a well for long days of 12 hours a day without receiving any kind of remuneration. This terrible situation came to light thanks to the bravery of one of the victims, who managed to free himself from his chains and report the case to the police authorities in the state of Maharashtra. The rescue of the group took place on June 17, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a government agency responsible for the protection of human rights.
The NHRC detailed in a statement that these people were forced to work without pay during exhausting working days in the excavation of the well. In addition, they were chained to prevent their escape and were provided with only one meal a day, being forced to defecate in the same place where they worked.
Law enforcement authorities arrested four individuals involved in this crime, but the NHRC emphasized that further action is needed beyond the rescue and arrest of some suspects. The organization stressed that this long-standing illegal practice known as “debt slavery,” in which creditors force debtors to work without receiving any financial compensation, needs to be addressed.
Activist groups estimate that around 10 million people in India are trapped in slave-like conditions. This disturbing incident has highlighted the urgency of taking concrete action to combat and eradicate this form of exploitation, thereby protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals involved.