The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Salem News : Notice to Salem Collector over torture of workers

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Wednesday, Jun 08, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Salem

Notice to Salem Collector over torture of workers

Staff Reporter

"No action taken on mercy petition"

CHENNAI: : The Madras High Court has ordered notices to the Salem district administration on a habeas corpus petition, which alleged that some quarry workers from the district were taken to Karnataka, denied the promised wages, ill-treated and detained for over two years.

In his petition, R. Govindan of Thondamunian in the Omalur taluk, said seven persons from the village, including his parents — Rajendran and Dhanakodi — were taken to Karnataka for quarry work in January 2003. They had been promised a daily wage of Rs. 100. Two local agents, who took the workers to a South Bangalore locality, handed them over to some supervisors.

However, the workers were paid only Rs. 10 each a day and denied basic amenities, including medical attention. They were also not permitted to contact any of their friends or relatives. Mr. Govindan made many futile attempts to contact his parents and others.

On April 21, 2005, his parents escaped from the custody of quarry owners. They narrated the illegal activities of the quarry owners to the villagers.

However, on May 7, a group of persons, including the quarry's supervisor, barged into the petitioner's house late at night, attacked him and took away Rajendran in a car.

As his complaint to the Omalur police did not yield any result, he submitted a "mercy petition" to the Collector on May 19.

Though it was forwarded to the local police, nothing was done.

He prayed for a direction to the authorities concerned to secure the release of quarry workers.

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Notice to Salem Collector over torture of workers