Tamil Nadu: Kiln workers want to go home, owner beats them

CHENNAI: Police on Tuesday registered a case against a brick kiln owner of Pudukuppam in Tiruvallur district and a few others after they bashed up nearly 25 guest workers who wanted to be sent home. A hunt is on for Munusamy, the kiln owner, and the others.
The victims were among 300-odd workers from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand at the kiln, 40km from Chennai.
The incident occurred early on Monday but came to light only on Tuesday following an alert from the Odisha government. “The workers sent photos of the injured and videos of the incident to their relatives and officials in Odisha and sought help,” said a worker on a condition of anonymity.
An inquiry by revenue and police officers found Dhuma Bariha, 39, Chatru Bariha, 36, Gopal Sahu, 42, Liabana Sahu, 45, Joshobant Sahu, 40, and 20 others were beaten up.
“They had requested the owner to send them home after they learned about the TN government arranging special trains for guest workers to return to their home states. Munusamy refused and the labourers stopped work in protest. They were then beaten,” said an official who accompanied Tiruvallur revenue divisional officer C Vidya.
A few suffered head injuries and were taken to a government hospital. “We have taken appropriate action against the perpetrators,” the RDO said, adding that a policeman was deployed to ensure the workers’ safety.
The inquiry found the workers were employed even during the lockdown and were being paid Rs 200 a week, said the source, quoting some workers. The authorities said the workers would be sent home soon.