Three labourers brutally assaulted by brick kiln owner, relatives for quitting job; 2 in police custody

VIJAYAPURA: Three labourers were brutally assaulted by the owner of a brick kiln and his relatives for refusing to turn up for work, at Ittangi Bhatti in Gandhinagar area under Nagathana Assembly constituency. A video of the brutal assault has gone viral on social media.

The owner, Khemu Rathod, his son Rohan and a relative allegedly attacked three labourers, Sadashiva Madar, Sadashiva Babaladi and Umesh Madar, by beating them on the sole of the feet with thick wooden logs. Though the men were screaming pain, the brick kiln owner and his relatives refused to let them go.

The labourers, who were paid Rs 600 daily, had gone home for Sankranti celebrations and returned to the brick kiln on January 16. When they were about to leave with their belongings, the owner questioned them about not coming to work and allegedly called his men to beat them up with pipes and wooden logs.

The labourers were brutally assaulted on their soles, legs and waist for three days. They are currently undergoing treatment at the Vijayapura district Hospital. In the viral video, three people can be seen beating two workers with pipes, holding their legs and head tightly with feet placed firmly on the thighs.

Two people were taken into custody by the police on Monday.

Two men are beating a labourer ruthlessly by turns while the labourer cries in pain. The men also allegedly threatened the labourers by pointing a gun and throwing chilli powder into their eyes. All the three labourers are Dalits.

After Public TV broadcast a report on the brutal assault, the APMC police took two persons, who were involved in the assault, into custody from a house in Gandhinagar. However, the brick kiln owner Khemu Rathod is said to be absconding. The police have launched a search for him.