Monday, January 19, 2015

Urgent Appeal: India: State of impunity and eye wash tactics in case of Bonded Labour

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ISSUES: Corruption; impunity; threat, right to live with dignity,  Malnutrition, Right to Education, Masculinity, Bonded labour, child labour, violence against women and children ……………………………………………………………………………………

19th January, 2015

Dear all,

On 4th October, 2014 18 bonded labour (8 adult male, 7 adult female and 3 child labour) belong to Musahar(mouse-eater) community of Schedule Caste resident of village Iariya under jurisdiction of Chunar in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh, India went to work in the brick kiln of Sanotsh Patel from Other backward caste(it is noted that Patel in this area of Mirzapur are one of the biggest land lords) , village Parsaudha under jurisdiction of Chunar of Mirzapur districts.

The brick kiln owner and survivor agreed to prepare brick with rate of 500 Rupees for 1000 bricks. They only work in the brick kiln for four days and later engaged in this agriculture, in household work and as labourer in another work. These survivors do not received any single penny as an advance because he assured us for monthly settlement of account. When these labour demanded for the wages then Santosh Patel reimbursed 300 Rupees to a couple in end of the week. While demanding the remaining wages they were abused, beaten and got threat to life from brick kiln owner and started to work as forced labour.  

“I went to Santosh Patel and request money for the treatment of the two small children. He started to abuse me. I pleaded I will settle the remaining money from my wages. After hearing this Santosh Patel and Clerk started to abuse and beat us. They said how much brick you made how many amount we will give.”, Says Suresh Musahar. Being so horrified they ran away on 5th November, 2014 but owner Santosh Patel made bondage to five people (Murh s/o Bajrangi Age 50, Chinta s/o Murhu Age – 45, Bidesi s/o Lalchand age – 40, Lallu s/o Suresh age – 5 and Binod s/o Boader age 12).  

After reaching Paterwa I talked with phone to Bidesi, he said they were beaten and the owner closed them in a room. He pleaded us to get released them from there anyhow, we are fussed up. Because brick kiln is powerful.
On 6th November, 2014 these bonded labour came to PVCHR office along with the community leader Savitri, PVCHR immediately faxed to Sub – Divisional Magistrate Chunar and ranged and provided all information to him. But his attitude was indifferent. Same day letter was emailed to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi, Sub – Divisional Magistrate (SDM) – Chunar, Police Superintendent, Mirzapur, Director General of Police, Lucknow, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh and Prime Minister of India. http://www.pvchr.net/2014/11/blog-post_7.html

On 7th November, 2014 letter along with affidavit sent through registered postage and fax NHRC, SDM, Chunar, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. No action taken by any action taken by the concerned authorities. Brick kiln owners are searching workers in their village and also in Inariya. We are now mentally fussed with brick kiln owner now we are living in threat anytime owner can came searching. Due to lack of Medical ailment the condition of two children (Soni 1 month and Arti 1 year) started deteriorated.  Due to threat to life, PVCHR provide protection to survivors in its Savitri Bai Phule Woman Centre from 8 – 12 November, 2014 (http://pvchr.asia/report.php?id=49) and 1 year Arti was admitted in Jain Hospital. These families are living with relatives in Varanasi, but there is no action for security of bonded labour. There is biggest height of rule of lord, which is making mockery of rule of law that we received information on 15th December, 2015 about encroachment of their house through making cattle field by influenced people of villages, who are related with brick kiln owner. It is clear cut violation of constitution along with Bonded Labour Abolition act,1976 and Schedule Caste & Schedule tribe atrocities Prevention Act,1989.

On 8th November, 2014 PVCHR organized press conference and shared the incidence. On same day five bonded labour released after raid by Sub – Divisional Magistrate. But there is no release certificate and legal action. It is noted that Chunar is 30 Kilometres away from Parliamentary seat of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and Brick kiln owner is very powerful person with feudal attitude based on mind of caste.   

PVCHR with the support of DIGNITY: Danish Institute against torture provided assistance (Medical, Meta- legal, Transportation and other welfare assistance) to the survivors and Justice Venture International (JVI) provided legal support.

Name of the Survivors:

  •        Suresh s/o Murahu
  •        Tribhuvan s/o Fauzdar
  •        Chita s/o Murahu
  •        Murahu s/o Bajrangi
  •        Raju s/o Bidesi
  •        Bidesi s/o Lalchand
  •        Manoj s/o  Murahu
  •        Sunita w/o Murahu
  •        Sanju w/o Tribhuvan
  •        Mila w/o Bidesi
  •        Pooja w/o Raju
  •        Kailash s/o Boader
  •        Chamela w/o Suresh
  •        Sita w/o late Sachu
  •        Rekha w/o Kailash

Bonded child labour


  •         Vinod s/o Boader Age 12
  •         Anita w/o Bidesi Age 8
  •         Brijesh s/o Tribhuvan Age 12

Therefore it is an urgent request immediate step to put an end to practice of contemporary form of slavery like bonded labour in the brick kiln factory:


  •       Take appropriate action as mentioned in the judgement given by honourable Supreme Court Neeraja Chaudhary vs. Government of Madhya Pradesh (http://indiankanoon.org/doc/1012224/) and Bandhuwa Mukti Morcha vs. Government of India (http://indiankanoon.org/doc/572040/).

  •       Issue release certificate and register the case against brick kiln owner under the Bonded Labour Act, 1976 Government of Uttar Pradesh and SC/ST (PoA), Act. Initiate the rehabilitation and security measure.

  •       Open special schools in the brick kiln factories for the migrant children according the code of conduct established by Brick kiln owners association of Uttar Pradesh.

  •        Initiate a state plan for eradication of bonded labour practice from UP.




Please send letter to:

Mr. Akhilesh Singh Yadav,
Chief Minister
Chief Minister's Secretariat
Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh - INDIA
Fax: + 91 522 223 0002 / 223 9234 E-mail: csup@up.nic.in


The Prime Minister
Prime minister of India,
Prime minister office,
New Delhi - 110101 - INDIA
Fax no. - +91 11 - 23016857, 23019545.
E-mail: pmosb@pmo.nic.in

Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg
New Delhi 110001 INDIA
Fax + 91 11 2338 486
E-mail: chairnhrc@nic.in

The Registrar
Supreme court of India,
Tilak Marg, New Delhi - 110001 - INDIA.
Fax No. - + 91 11 23381508, 23381584.
E-mail:- supremecourt@nic.in

District Magistrate,
Mirzapur - Uttar Pradesh,
India.        
Mobile:+91-9454417567

Superintendents of Police
Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh,India.
Tel : + 91 - 05442 - 256655
Mobile : + 91 - 9454400299


Director General of Police
1-B.N., Lahari Marg / Tilak Marg,
Lucknow - 226001 - Uttar Pradesh - INDIA
Fax No. - +91 522 2206120, 2206174
E-mail - police@up.nic.in

Urgent Appeal Desk (pvchr.india@gmail.com)
Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR)

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