Tribal Girls Trapped In Bombay

Young tribal girls from here are being exploited as cheap bonded labour and exported to Bombay, Punjab, Vizag and Bengal: Singhubum dt. is the recruiting ground. Associated Cement factory’s chimney dust is spreading over 30 miles from Jhinkpani. ACC exploits our rich minerals. So also the Hyderabad Asbestos. Vast tribal areas have become unfit for cultivation. The tribals thus uprooted from their lands become paupers and then become bonded labour for outside market. Will your readers help us rescue these girls from the clutches of contractors ? These girls are working in Gammon India Ltd ., OCK Nagar, Castle Bridge, P. O. Box. 103, Thane, Bombay — 406 001. Will our human rights organisations, women and Dalit organisations in Bombay write to me at Banka, Chakradharpur P.O ., Singhbum dt ., Bihar ? In all 17 girls are working as bonded labour in the Bombay factory and they need to be rescued immediately. The contractor has kept muscle men to guard these girls. They are paid Rs. 20 a week per head and are not allowed to go out. They are also beaten up. In winter they are not given clothes. Sometimes they go naked. Our union can cooperate. The Dalit Panthers and the Kashtakari Sanghatana, Thane, can also help us. The matter is urgent.