Four bonded labourers rescued from brick kiln

Karur: Four bonded labourers, including women and a minor, were rescued from a private brick kiln in Aranganathan Pettai in Karur district on Monday.According to officials, the International Justice Mission (IJM) alerted authorities about the alleged presence of bonded labourers at a privately owned brick kiln located in Aranganathan Pettai. Following the information, judges K H Ilavalagan and Anuradha, members of the One Stop Crisis Committee, revenue officials and police personnel, conducted a joint inspection at the kiln. During inquiry, four workers from Villupuram district — identified as R Murthy, M Sathya, N Ezhumalai and a minor girl — told officials that they had each received an advance payment of 50,000 to each from the kiln owner and had been employed under bonded labour arrangements since Sept 2025.Based on their statements, the workers were rescued. Officials said the rescued workers were found to be in poor physical and mental condition. They were later produced before the Karur revenue divisional officer for further action, including medical treatment, counselling and rehabilitation measures, before being sent back to their native places.