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NHRC tells Delhi cops to trace 30 bonded labourers

The National Human Rights Commission has asked Delhi Police Commissioner V N Singh to take immediate steps to release 30 bonded labourers, allegedly whisked away by a contractor of the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited.

Commission sources said Deputy Commissioner of Police T N Mohan and the police chief have been directed to file their action taken reports within a week. The police officials were also directed to provide protection to 15 other bonded labourers, who were freed by the Bandhua Mukti Morcha, a non-government organisation run by Swami Agnivesh.

The orders were issued by the NHRC in pursuance of the Supreme Court order of November11, 1997 directing it to supervise the implementation of laws against bonded labourers, and the protection of the Human Rights Act, 1993.

Swami Agnivesh had approached the NHRC about the matter. Sources said the Commission's director general (investigation) has been directed to forward two petitions filed by him to the police officials.

In its first petition, filed on January 4, the swami sought rehabilitation for 45 bonded labourers who were released at his instance on December 30 in accordance with the provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.

The Morcha moved another petition on January 7 when 30 of the 45 bonded labourers, in respect of whom proceedings were going on in the Commission, were 'abducted'.

UNI

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