NHRC asks authorities to ensure release of bonded labourers

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today asked district authorities in Karnataka's Belgaum to take immediate steps for release and rehabilitation of 97 alleged bonded labourers and submit a report to the commission within three weeks.
According to an NHRC statement, the commission has issued notices to the District Magistrate and Deputy Commissioner, Belgaum, asking them to inquire into the issue as per the provisions of Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and submit a report to the Commission within three weeks.
They have also been asked to take immediate steps for release and rehabilitation of such bonded labourers.
The notices were issues after the right's body took suo moto cognizance of a media report alleging that there are 97 people in village Nagnur who cannot extricate themselves from bonded labour as they had taken advances from the landlords which they were unable to repay because of the high rate of interest, the statement said.