An interstate trafficking ring has been uncovered in Palghar, where tribals were coerced into bonded labour at a brick kiln in Surat, Gujarat. Seven workers and four children, aged between 15 months and five years, were rescued with the help of Warli community activists. (PICS/HANIF PATEL)
Updated on : 21 February,2025 10:03 AM IST | Compiled by : Anisha Shrivastava
He is Jigneshbhai Prajapati, the prime accused. More tribals from Palghar and Dahanu talukas are reportedly still trapped in brick kilns, working in dire conditions without adequate food or rest. Complainant Nitesh Chimbate, 25, escaped from the kiln, where owner Jigneshbhai Prajapati allegedly installed CCTV cameras to prevent workers from sleeping.
These are the rescued tribal workers from Palghar district and their families. This is the first known case of interstate bonded labour registered in Palghar’s police records. A first information report (FIR) was filed at Manor police station, though officers failed to include the Interstate Migrant Workmen Act, 1979.
The Surat-based brick kiln pays a Palghar-based tribal an advance to secure his labour in June 2024; Five months later, the former visits Palghar and bundles poverty-stricken tribals into a tempo. Victims were lured with advance payments but later abducted, with some bound and transported in a tempo to Surat. Once at the brick kiln, workers endured gruelling labour and brutal assaults by cane-wielding guards if they tried to rest.
A cane-wielding guard tyrannises the bonded labourers, who are monitored by a CCTV camera, in Surat. Nitesh’s uncle Krishna Chimbate fell ill and was hospitalised but later went missing, prompting a complaint at Mahuwa police station in Surat. An eight-month-old child, Mehul Mahendra Rahe, died due to exposure to toxic fumes at the kiln where his mother worked as a bonded labourer.
The guard checks live footage; a labourer escapes the heavily guarded brick kiln. Activists claim over 50 more tribals remain enslaved at brick kilns near Prajapati’s setup, with urgent action needed for their rescue. Palghar police have invoked multiple legal provisions but have yet to make any arrests, as investigations are ongoing.
The escapee reaches Manor police station in Palghar where the FIR is registered. The rescued tribals revealed that they were denied medical care, with sick workers prevented from accessing hospitals or meeting their families. Activists from Shramjeevi Sangathana played a crucial role in assisting Nitesh Chimbate’s escape and ensuring the FIR was filed.
He is Nitesh Chimbate, the complainant. Guards monitored workers round the clock using CCTV cameras, punishing those who attempted to sleep or rest. The Maharashtra Tribal Development Review Committee has urged the state government to address the exploitation of tribals in Palghar. More than 50 tribals are still reportedly trapped in bonded labour at brick kilns near Prajapati’s setup. Survivors recalled being tied up and forcibly transported to Surat against their will. An eight-month-old infant died due to toxic fumes at the kiln, highlighting the dire conditions for children. Activists claim this is just one case among many, with several tribals still unaccounted for.
