One of the groups of sugarcane harvesting labourers that was brought from Madhya Pradesh to work at sugarcane factories in Belagavi and Bagalkot districts has been sent back, after a charge that it has been engaged as bonded labour emerged. Another group, which includes some child labour, has been released. But officers are yet to send it back.
A total of 49 people, including nine children, who were working in two groups, have been released from work. All the workers, including the nine children, have been released. As many as 22 of them chose to go back to Madhya Pradesh. The others are in Belagavi, while the children are in the District Child Welfare Home.
