Whipped, branded, guarded by pitbulls: 13 workers held captive at UP factory

For nearly two years, 13 labourers came to a factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district with the promise of work, wages and a better life. Instead, the workers alleged they were trapped inside its walls, stripped of their mobile phones and identity documents, deprived of food, brutally beaten and kept under the constant watch of two pitbull dogs kept on the premises to prevent them from escaping.

A raid by joint teams of the Labour Department, police and administration on Monday uncovered what officials described as a case of bonded labour at the tote-making factory.

The rescued workers — brought from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttarakhand, different districts of Uttar Pradesh and even Nepal — alleged that they were lured with promises of good wages but were subjected to months of torture after reaching the factory.

They claimed their Aadhaar cards and mobile phones were taken away, cutting them off from their families and making escape difficult.

WHAT LED COPS TO THE FACTORY

The operation began after a worker managed to escape from the factory and approached police. He allegedly informed authorities that several labourers were being confined inside.

Acting on the information, teams from the Labour Department, police and administration conducted a raid.

During the operation, officials rescued workers identified as Ramu, Vikram, Narayan, Sitaram, Santosh, Shivam Jatav, Jagdish, Rajhans, Sahil, Ranjeet Paswan, Dilshad, Ujjwal and Sonu Chauhan.

Officials said two people — Shivam Tyagi and Pradeep Baliyan — were arrested during the action.

Police also recovered sticks and other items allegedly used to assault the workers.

'PROMISED MONEY, BUT TOOK OUR FREEDOM AWAY'

The rescued labourers told officials that they had been brought to the factory around two years ago after being promised regular wages.

But after arriving, they alleged, their phones and Aadhaar cards were taken away.

They claimed they were not paid and were provided only limited food.

According to the workers, they were given dry bread once every 24 hours and were repeatedly beaten if they questioned the treatment or tried to escape.

The workers also alleged that two pitbull dogs were kept inside the factory to intimidate them and prevent them from leaving.

Some workers claimed the abuse continued for months, with their bodies bearing visible marks of the alleged torture.

DEATH ALLEGATIONS UNDER PROBE

Police are also investigating claims that some workers who were allegedly held at the factory for a prolonged period died during their captivity.

Officials have not yet confirmed the details, but said the matter was being examined as part of the investigation.

The rescued workers were taken for medical examination and treatment.

After the rescue operation, officials welcomed them with garlands before arranging their return to their homes.

The police have launched an investigation into the allegations of illegal confinement, assault and exploitation.

Officials said further action would be taken based on the evidence collected during the probe.

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