A few days after a case of bonded labour at Kheeva Khurd village in this district came to light, the deputy commissioner has written to the labour inspector for registration of a case against the accused under the Child Labour Act.
The district administration and the police, however, have failed to register the case against the accused under the Bonded Labour Prevention Act and have found the victim's claims to be “false”.
On the other hand, the general secretary of the Dalit Dasta Virodhi Andolan has blamed the officials for pressing the victim to reach a compromise.
HT highlighted the matter 'Bonded labour to fore in Mansa village' on April 9 after the victim was allegedly assaulted by the accused and admitted to the Mansa civil hospital.
The victim, Bholi Kaur, claimed to be working as sweeper while her 11-year-old son was working as domestic help with the accused. Kaur alleged to have been assaulted along with her daughter by the accused after she wanted to take her son home on April 8, but the accused allegedly refused.
SDM Rakesh Kumar said, “The recorded statements of the victims had been submitted to the deputy commissioner and action would be taken on his instructions.”
{{/usCountry}}SDM Rakesh Kumar said, “The recorded statements of the victims had been submitted to the deputy commissioner and action would be taken on his instructions.”
{{/usCountry}}Deputy commissioner Amit Dakha said, “In our investigation we have found no bonded labour, but I have written to the labour inspector to register a case against the accused for employing the 11-year-old boy. The victim had fallen from a motorcycle and suffered injuries.”
Dalit Dasta Virodhi Andolan Punjab general secretary Jagsir Singh Seera blamed the officials of pressing him along with the victim to reach a compromise with the other party. Seera said, “From day one of the publication of the report, the officials are pressing us for reaching a compromise. The victim was assaulted but the officials are concocting another story. They seem to be under pressure and are unwilling to file a case against the accused under the Bonded Labour Prevention Act.”