Police in Bolangir district rescued 13 bonded labourers along with two children near Semela village under Turekela police limits.
The labourers were being trafficked illegally to Vijayawada.
The rescued workers belong to Lathor, Titilagarh, and Patnagarh areas. They were recruited by a local sardar, identified as Suresh from Kandabahali village, who had taken advance money from them and arranged their transport outside the state.
During routine patrolling near the Indravati left canal, police intercepted the group and discovered irregularities in their documents. Officers confirmed that the workers were being trafficked without following government rules.
Police arrested the middleman, Suresh and registered case number 336/25. He was produced in court following the rescue operation.
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