Mithilesh Yadav

A preliminary investigation by the police has revealed that the recently rescued women ´bonded´ workers from a Siraha-based brick factory were sexually abused.

On the basis of the statement given by the rescued women laborers, they were sexually abused by the proprietor as well as other staffs of the Om Brick Factory frequently, the Siraha District Police Office stated on Monday.

A total of 64 Indian laborers, many of them women, were rescued by the authorities after the November 22 verdict of the Supreme Court (SC) to rescue the laborers who were allegedly held hostage since two months.

However, the district police office has claimed that they cannot initiate legal proceedings against the wrongdoers as the case is sub judice at the SC.

“We will be able to detain the perpetrators only after the SC directs us to investigate the sexual abuse of the female laborers,” said Superintendent Police (SP) Bikram Gurung, the chief of Siraha District Police.

Likewise, Chief District Officer of Siraha district, Dhruba Prasad Dhakal reiterated that the action will be taken as per the order of the SC.

“We freed the workers after the SC´s verdict. Likewise, we will conduct further investigation by arresting the accused proprietor if the SC orders us,” said CDO Dhakal.

Similarly, the local administration informed that the Om Brick Factory of Belhakati VDC-4 was not registered at the district-based office of the Cottage and Small Industries.

Published on: 22 January 2013 | Republica