Kantabanji police in Bolangir district rescued nine migrant workers who were being trafficked illegally from Muribahal block.
Acting swiftly on a tip-off, officers intercepted the group near Kadalipada and arrested two labor agents involved in the operation.
Police identified the arrested agents as Shankarsan Bisi (39) of Gudighat village and Ananta Bag (35) of Chalaki village, both under Muribahal police limits. The rescued workers, including seven men and two women, hailed from Latasara village in Gudighat panchayat.
Investigators revealed that the agents were attempting to transport the workers to brick kilns in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Gujarat. The workers admitted they accepted advance payments after being promised better wages, citing a lack of local employment and irregular payments under schemes like MGNREGA.
Although several government welfare programs exist on paper, the workers expressed frustration over their ineffectiveness. They also disclosed that labor agents continue to recruit villagers by offering cash advances and setting up temporary camps in rural areas.
After completing the rescue operation, police ensured the safe return of all nine workers to their native village. Authorities produced the two accused in court under Case No. 391/25. Since the court rejected their bail applications, both were remanded to judicial custody.
Kantabanji IIC Gopal Chandra Karna confirmed the arrests and stated that police are ramping up efforts to dismantle illegal labor trafficking networks in the region. He reiterated the department’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities from exploitation.
