
Thu Jul 24 17:45:25 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
In Tirupattur, India, on July 24, 2025, seven individuals, including two children and a pregnant woman, were rescued from bonded labor at mango farms near Ambur. These individuals, belonging to two Irular families from Vellore, had been forced to work by a contractor named Mahavishnu to pay off a ₹10,000 debt. They faced verbal abuse, inhumane working conditions, and were denied proper wages and freedom of movement. Authorities intervened following an alert and are now investigating the contractor.
**News Article:**
**Seven Rescued from Bonded Labor at Mango Farms in Tirupattur**
**TIRUPATTUR, July 24, 2025 (The Hindu) –** Seven individuals, including two children and a pregnant woman, were rescued from appalling conditions of bonded labor at mango farms in Naickaneri village near Ambur, Tirupattur district, on Wednesday. The rescue operation followed an alert received by Collector K. Sivasoundaravalli regarding potential labor exploitation in the area.
The victims, members of two Irular families hailing from Pakkampalayam village near Odugathur, Vellore, were forced to work by a contractor identified as Mahavishnu, a resident of Ambur. According to officials, the families had borrowed ₹10,000 from Mahavishnu, who then forced them to work on the 67 acres of farmland he leased in the hills to pay off the debt.
The rescued individuals reported being subjected to verbal abuse, non-payment of wages, and confinement to the work site. They were made to work from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily, even on Sundays, tending to cattle, growing vegetables, and maintaining mango groves under inhumane conditions without adequate rest or food.
Vaniyambadi Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Ajitha Begum led the rescue operation along with District Labour Welfare Officer, Ambur Tahsildar, and police personnel from Ambur Taluk Police Station. Following the rescue, RDO Begum issued Release Certificates and disbursed financial assistance to the affected families, who have been allowed to return to their village.
“The Collector received information and ordered the team to investigate. A field-level verification confirmed the presence of bonded laborers,” said a revenue official.
A case has been registered against contractor Mahavishnu by the Ambur Taluk police, and an investigation is currently underway.