Balangir: Kantabanji police rescued 18 bonded labourers while they were being trafficked to a neighbouring state on Tuesday.
According to sources, four men, seven women and seven children were being trafficked to a brick kiln in Andhra Pradesh in a Tata ACE van when police intercepted the vehicle at Dangamara Square and rescued the migrant workers.
Police have detained the vehicle driver and the kingpin, Pradeep Behera, for further investigation. Besides, police have seized the vehicle used for smuggling.
The labourers, hailed from Saradapur village under Kantabanji police station, were rescued from a Tata ACE vehicle near Dangamara village while being transported to the neighbouring state.
The rescued labourers are being provided assistance and sent back to their homes after verification of their documents.
