Berhampur: Odisha Police have arrested two persons, including one from Tamil Nadu, on charges of trafficking and exploiting three migrant workers from Ganjam district. The accused were apprehended in Karumathampatti in Coimbatore district and later brought to Odisha on remand.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Khirod Tandi (28), a native of Palnagar in Bolangir district who was residing at Mangalam in Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu, and Karthi (24) of Nagaratham in Tamil Nadu. They were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court in Digapahandi after being brought to Berhampur, Superintendent of Police Saravana Vivek M. informed.
According to police, the accused allegedly lured the three migrant labourers from a railway station in Tamil Nadu by offering them better wages and employment opportunities. However, after taking them to Tiruppur district, the duo reportedly confined the workers in a room, denied them adequate food and wages, and subjected them to physical assault.
The victims have been identified as B Budu Reddy (32), B Purna Reddy (30), and S Dhoba Reddy (31), all residents of Laxmi Narayanpur under Digapahandi block in Ganjam district.
Acting on information, a team from Digapahandi police, with assistance from Tamil Nadu Police, rescued the workers from Nagapattinam on February 11. Following the rescue operation, efforts were intensified to trace and arrest the accused, leading to their capture in Coimbatore district.
Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain whether more individuals were involved in the trafficking and exploitation network.
