3 held for keeping bonded labour

The Goindwal Sahib police have registered a case against three persons, members of a Gujjar Dera, settled in Dinewal village in Tarn Taran district, who had kept a person from Uttarakhand as bonded labour.

The victim has been identified as Ramesh Kumar (35), son of Asa Lal, a resident of Kosh Buliara in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. He was rescued on Wednesday by a team of the district administration.

The issue was raised by a former Rajya Sabha member, BJP leader Anil Baluni, after a video went viral on the social media. Anil Baruni discussed the matter with Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab, who brought the matter to the notice of the DGP, Punjab.

On the directions issued by Gaurav Yadav, DGP, Punjab, a team under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Rahul and SSP Deepak Pareek

was formed for taking further action.

SP Deepak Pareek informed here on Thursday that the team rescued Ramesh Kumar in the presence of his family and was freed after initiating legal proceedings. Ramesh Kumar was reunited with his family under the set norms. Ramesh Kumar alleged that his masters (the accused Gujjars) used to torture him in case he wanted take rest for one reason or the other.

The SSP said that he was forced to work as bonded labour by the three for the last three years. A case under section 143 and 146 of BNS has been registered by the Goindwal Sahib police on Wednesday night in this regard.

The SSP said that the accused were absconding and would be arrested soon.