Thane/Nashik (Maha), Sep 2 (PTI) A man and his son have been arrested for allegedly holding a tribal Katkari family from Raigad district as bondage labourers, police said on Wednesday.
Tulshiram Nathu Pawar (42), a resident of Jambhulpada in Raigad district, and his family worked at a coal kiln owned by Ramesh Mahadev Pawar at Bhaur in Deola taluka of Nashik district, an official said.
The family allegedly faced abuse, he said.
The owner allegedly held the family hostage under strict surveillance, restricting even their basic daily movements, and even forced minor children aged 17, 15, and 13 into hard labour every day from 7 am to 7 pm, the official said.
On August 23, Ramesh Pawar, in an inebriated state, confronted the family on suspicion that they planned to seek employment elsewhere. Ramesh and his son Krishna Pawar allegedly assaulted Tulshiram’s son Somnath and slapped his minor daughters when they attempted to intervene, the police official said.
On August 30, Somnath contacted Sanjay Pawar, an activist of Shramjeevi Sanghatana, a social organisation. A team of activists from Raigad and Nashik visited Bhaur on August 31, rescued the family and brought them to the Deola police station, said the general secretary of the Sanghatana Vijay Jadhav.
On Tuesday, Deola Police registered a case against Ramesh Pawar and Krishna Pawar and further probe was on. PTI COR KRK
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