Prem Kumar Hembram, a 20-year-old ITI graduate, said they were promised Rs 15,000 a month in a flour packaging unit but were instead placed in a factory producing chemical powder. “The air was polluted, (there was) dust everywhere. We immediately told the contractor we wouldn’t work here. But he refused saying we could not leave until he allowed us,” Hembram said.

He alleged that their phones were seized when they protested. “He forced us to work. I was among those who managed to hide a phone and call our families. For about 15 days, we pretended to work while staying in touch with them,” he added.

Another worker, Dharmraj Kisku (23), said they were subjected to violence. “One staff member even beat one of us, kicked him in the chest, and hit him with slippers,” Kisku said. They were allegedly made to work 12-hour shifts with little food and under unhealthy conditions. “Many of us fell sick, but we were given only medicines and short breaks before being sent back,” he said.

As the families grew alarmed, they approached Jharkhand Excise and Prohibition Minister and JMM MLA from Gomia, Yogendra Prasad. He raised the matter with the state administration.

“They went without their parents’ consent to earn money. When they refused to work, they were forced. Phones were snatched, food was not provided on time, and they were made to work for 12 to 15 hours a day. Some were beaten and kept in bonded labour,” Prasad told The Indian Express, adding that he had written to the chief secretary and other authorities, and further action against the company will be decided soon.

Shikha Lakra, Head of the State Migrant Control Room, said the matter was flagged by the MLA. “We coordinated with the Visakhapatnam labour office and local SP. Using live locations shared secretly, authorities intervened and rescued them,” she said.

The workers were compensated nearly Rs 1 lakh for their labour and brought back home by train on September 24.