NHRC has issued notice to Deputy Commissioner,
Sonipet on bonded labour
New Delhi April 23, 2007
The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Sonipet for submitting comments along with explanation as to why release certificates were not issued to the bonded labourers. Taking suo-motu cognizance in a distressing news item that appeared in the Hindustan Times dated 4th April 2007 titled "Freed labourers fight for justice" which said that 65 men, women and children were allegedly held captive at a brick kiln in Sonipet, Haryana for months and they were released a fortnight ago. These labourers are mostly Dalits from Jhanjgir districts in Chhatisgarh. It is reported that these rescued bonded labourers are now fighting to get the district administration to act on their complaints and get their captors-owners of a kiln booked. The group has been protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since March 15.
It is reported that Swami Agnivesh, who is leading the protest, has said that after he came to know about the problem, he contacted the DC and apprised him. The DC, instead of following procedures under the laws dealing with bonded labour and proper police action, released these bonded labourers overnight on March 14 and loaded them on to a train to Delhi.
Meanwhile a complaint has also been received in the Commission on the same incident. The complainant alleged that despite repeated pleas made to DC on the need to take immediate steps he did not visit the spot to record the statements or delegate the SDM to check the fact as per the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The Deputy District Food Supply Officer who instead of recording the statements of the labourers got their thumb impression on a blank paper and then got them released. It is further alleged that the DC showed utter dereliction and indifference towards his duty under Bonded Labour System (Abolition Act) 1976.
The Commission has given two weeks time to the DC, Sonipet for submitting his comments along with explanation in this regard.
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The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Sonipet for submitting comments along with explanation as to why release certificates were not issued to the bonded labourers. Taking suo-motu cognizance in a distressing news item that appeared in the Hindustan Times dated 4th April 2007 titled "Freed labourers fight for justice" which said that 65 men, women and children were allegedly held captive at a brick kiln in Sonipet, Haryana for months and they were released a fortnight ago. These labourers are mostly Dalits from Jhanjgir districts in Chhatisgarh. It is reported that these rescued bonded labourers are now fighting to get the district administration to act on their complaints and get their captors-owners of a kiln booked. The group has been protesting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since March 15.
It is reported that Swami Agnivesh, who is leading the protest, has said that after he came to know about the problem, he contacted the DC and apprised him. The DC, instead of following procedures under the laws dealing with bonded labour and proper police action, released these bonded labourers overnight on March 14 and loaded them on to a train to Delhi.
Meanwhile a complaint has also been received in the Commission on the same incident. The complainant alleged that despite repeated pleas made to DC on the need to take immediate steps he did not visit the spot to record the statements or delegate the SDM to check the fact as per the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The Deputy District Food Supply Officer who instead of recording the statements of the labourers got their thumb impression on a blank paper and then got them released. It is further alleged that the DC showed utter dereliction and indifference towards his duty under Bonded Labour System (Abolition Act) 1976.
The Commission has given two weeks time to the DC, Sonipet for submitting his comments along with explanation in this regard.
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