The Sinapali police in Nuapada district successfully rescued 17 migrant workers—including young children—in two separate operations near Godal Chhak.
Following necessary verification and questioning, all rescued individuals have been safely sent back to their respective homes.
According to police reports, two separate patrolling teams of the Sinapali police station received credible intelligence regarding illegal migrant worker transportation. Acting swiftly, the teams rushed to Godal Chhak and intercepted the workers who were waiting for a bus to travel to Hyderabad, Telangana, for labour work.
Details of the Operations
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First Incident (Case No. 363/26): Eight workers were rescued in the first operation. Among them, Trinath Majhi (45), his wife Kuntala Majhi (42), daughter Puja Majhi (19), son Rahul Majhi (19), and Dinabandhu Majhi (21) hail from Patelpada village under Sinapali police station, currently residing in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Other rescued individuals included Daktar Majhi from Dumermunda and Shritam Bag, along with his wife Ahalya Bag from Jharsuguda district.
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Second Incident (Case No. 364/26): Nine workers were rescued in the second operation. This group included Balkrishna Nag (20), his mother Ketaki Nag (55), sister Sasmita Nag (22), and brother Hemant Nag (18) from Junagarh, Kalahandi. Additionally, Dhanasingh Majhi (48), his wife Urmila Majhi (45), son Ajay Majhi (22), Basudev Majhi (18), and Ajay’s wife Satyabhama Majhi (21) from Sinkela, Balangir, were also rescued.
Investigation and Legal Action
Preliminary investigations revealed that labour middlemen (sardars) lured the workers with false promises of high financial gains and employment in Hyderabad. Crucially, the workers lacked mandatory travel passes, movement orders, valid work permits, and were denied legitimate travel and displacement allowances mandated by law.
Separate cases have been registered at the Sinapali police station under Sections 143(3) and 318(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside Section 25 of the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979.
Sinapali Police Station Officer Maheswar Panigrahi stated that strict legal action is being initiated against the accused middlemen, and further investigation into the trafficking network is currently underway.
