‘Paid Rs 50 per head, worked for over 14 hours’: After 18 months in captivity, tribal family rescued from bonded labour in Pune

The Bhil family, who are sugarcane farmers from the Jalgaon and Dhule districts, had come to work as labourers in December 2023, but found themselves trapped in what authorities describe as ‘hostage-like conditions’ on the farm of the Rangkise brothers in the Ranjangaon-Sandas village in Shirur.

The family said it took a loan of Rs 1.55 lakh from Nandu Rangkise and Appa Rangkise.

However, the family received only Rs 85,000 in hand, with the rest taken by middlemen.

“We were told to work in Ranjangaon for around three months during the sugarcane harvest season, and then return to our hometown. But the Rangkise family took us hostage, and said we cannot leave until all the money is paid back,” said Jijabai Bhil, 46, one of the victims.

Physical and verbal assault

What followed was an exploitation that lasted one and a half years, during which the family was subjected to gruelling working conditions that violated basic human rights.

“On average, we were paid Rs 50 per head. A typical work day was over 14 hours. No medical aid or help was received, even child’s delivery happened in huts. We had an area marked, beyond which we couldn’t move,” said Dadabhau Bhil, 35, another victim.

The Bhil family was subjected to gruelling working conditions that violated basic human rights.

“Whenever we tried to access mobiles to call our relatives to save us, they restricted our entry and used to physically assault and verbally abuse us. Seven family members worked without a weekly holiday, earning approximately Rs 3,000 per month for the entire family,” he added.

The rescue operation began when relatives managed to visit the site and raised an alarm.

Manga Bhil, 65, a family member, contacted the Jan Sahas NGO helpline, which took immediate action.

“After learning that my family was tortured for one and a half years, I contacted the Jan Sahas NGO helpline, and cognisance was taken,” said Manga.

‘Villagers surrounded us’

Under the Migrants Resilience Collaboration programme, Jan Sahas initially reported the incident to the district collector of Jalgaon, who then informed the Pune Collectorate.

The rescue work began on June 27 in collaboration with Pune’s District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and Nirman Bahuuddeshiya Vikas Sanstha.

According to officials, they faced multiple challenges during the rescue operation.

“When we visited the site, we were only provided one police personnel from the Yavat Police Station. As we started interacting with the accused, many villagers surrounded us, and we were not able to take the family back,” said Sonam Kedar of Jan Sahas.

They got a boost Wednesday when the District Legal Services Authority intervened, and provided adequate support from multiple departments.

“With the help of DLSA, officials from the labour department, revenue department and police, we were able to release the Bhil family. But the initial delay and incoherent police statement have saved the accused brothers. They have not been arrested, nor has any legal action been taken against them so far,” Kedar added.

‘Such cases defy our presumption’

The rescued family now faces the challenge of rebuilding their lives.

Without proper identification documents, they cannot access government services and benefits.

“After receiving the letter of release from the government authorities, we would enrol them in a rehabilitation centre and get the essential documents done so that they can get the benefits of the Loknete Gopinath Munde Sugarcane Workers Welfare Scheme and will ensure their children get education,” said Siddhi Bhaishete of Nirman Bahuuddeshiya Vikas Sanstha.

Sonal Patil, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Pune, acknowledged the broader implications.

“Such cases defy our presumption that the practice of bonded labour has vanished. The DLSA and the Pune Collectorate responded immediately after we were informed about the case. Initially, there was hesitancy and delay by the local authorities to act,” Patil told The Indian Express.

“Such delays can work in favour of the accused. During this period, they can manipulate the victims. In most cases, we don’t get the exact statement from them, without which we can’t file appropriate charges, and it adversely affects the conviction rate. However, such cases can be prevented in the future if the departments concerned and stakeholders keep a vigil and act swiftly,” Patil added.

Efforts are underway to ensure the family receives proper documentation, rehabilitation support, and access to government welfare schemes designed to protect vulnerable tribes.

(Shubham Kurale is an intern with The Indian Express.)