Navi Mumbai: In normal circumstances, the birth of a child among the impoverished Katkari tribals of Raigad district is considered a happy occasion. However, recently, there was only relief as a healthy newborn boy was named ‘Azad’, meaning a free person.Azad’s mother was among the 38 Katkari tribals from Mangaon taluka of Raigad who were tricked and lured to work as bonded labourers at a coal site in Andhra Pradesh.“The 38 Katkari adivasi men and women from Koshimbale hamlet in Mangaon taluka were promised ‘good money’ to work at a coal site in the dense forest near Gorantla in Andhra Pradesh. However, they soon realised that they were not given any money and often beaten up to work overtime. This included the heavily pregnant woman,” said Dr Vaishali Patil, a Raigad-based tribal rights activist from Ankur Trust.As they did not know Telugu, the tribals realised they were trapped there. Two men somehow escaped from there and later told a local NGO, Sarvdeep Vikas Sanstha, about their ordeal.The social workers and activists then contacted Raigad district collectorate, which in turn intimated Andhra police and the home department, in order to successfully rescue the remaining Katkari tribals from their miserable situation.Significantly, Azad was born just after all the rescued tribals reached Raigad district a few days ago and thus named so.“The Katkaris are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Maharashtra, but they are at times forced to migrate to other states for work opportunities. Ironically, bonded labour had legally ended in India 50 years ago, in 1976, but the practice still continues as now seen at Andhra Pradesh,” said Dr Patil, while asserting that education and financial betterment are the only way to improve the lives of these adivasis.International Justice Mission group also helped besides the local NGOs in order to rescue the tribals.During the rescue, officials noticed that some women did not even have adequate clothing. New sarees were therefore arranged before the workers were sent back to Maharashtra in a special bus.On their return late at night, the families were received in the Mangaon area. Acting on the directions of Raigad District Collector Kishan Jawale, the district administration arranged immediate shelter, food and medical support. Mangaon Sub-Divisional Officer Sandipan Sanap, Tahsildar Bipin Lokare and Police Inspector Sanjay Bangar promptly took the initiative in coordinating the relief and rehabilitation process.For one family, the rescue marked the beginning of a new life with their newborn named ‘Azad’.Social activist Dr Vaishali Patil, whose PhD focuses on the Katkari community, welcomed the prompt response of Raigad administration, particularly Mangaon subdivision, but cautioned that rescue alone cannot solve the problem.“The initiative taken by the SDO and Tahsildar of Mangaon for the rehabilitation of the rescued families is commendable. But the larger question is: how do we stop distress migration among the Katkari PVTG community? When large numbers of tribal families are compelled to migrate for survival, it tells us that our local development model is not reaching them.”The case has also raised questions about the alleged involvement of an industry owner, who has reportedly faced earlier allegations of trapping Katkari families in bonded labour in Sangamner taluka of Ahmednagar district. A detailed investigation and strict action against those responsible have been sought.
