An interstate rescue operation carried out by the Telangana and Maharashtra governments led to the rescue of 38 migrant bonded labourers from Nagarkurnool district of Telangana who were found working under forced conditions at road construction sites in Parbhani district of Maharashtra on January 22 and 23, 2026.

The rescued workers belong to 16 families from Nagarkurnool and include 16 men, 12 women and 10 children. Officials said the families, largely from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, had migrated from Telangana after labour contractors offered advance payments ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 with assurances of regular employment. After reaching Maharashtra, the workers were allegedly trapped in bonded labour for two to four years, with wages withheld and debts manipulated to prevent them from leaving.

According to the district administration, the labourers were engaged in road construction work under exploitative conditions, working from 7 am to 7 pm without adequate rest, safety equipment or basic living facilities. Their movement was restricted and several workers reported verbal and physical abuse. Among those rescued were nine school-age children who were denied access to education and a pregnant woman, highlighting serious violations of basic rights.

The case surfaced after information was received from the source area in Nagarkurnool, leading to field verification and coordination with Maharashtra authorities. Preliminary assessments indicated that nearly 100 workers from Telangana may have been trapped at the site. However, due to fear of retaliation, economic dependency and low literacy levels, only 38 workers were able to give formal statements, enabling the rescue operation.

The nearly 70-hour operation involved coordinated action by the Revenue, Police, Labour and Health Departments of both states, along with the District Legal Services Authority in Maharashtra. Legal action has been initiated against the contractors, with an FIR registered at Charthana Police Station, Parbhani, under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act and the Contract Labour Act.

The process of issuing release certificates has begun, bank accounts have been opened and immediate relief is being provided, while the Telangana government has initiated rehabilitation and welfare measures to prevent re-trafficking.